Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine warrants a disability rating of 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder is presumed to be related to her service in the Persian Gulf, while her low back disorder is not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The evidence did not support a finding of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, and the most severe limitation of motion found was 75 degrees forward flexion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for GI disorders and back disorders due to his failure to report for VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination, which did not adequately address his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his need for aid and attendance. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination and requests for additional records. The claim will be reconsidered based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's low back disability has not manifested to the degree that would warrant a higher rating, and therefore his request for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records from the Naval Hospital Occupational Medicine Clinic at Jacksonville Naval Air Station.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denied service connection for a back disorder.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of any diagnosed low back disabilities and whether they are related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and progressive muscle atrophy of the right leg due to sciatic nerve impingement, finding that there was no in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability with degenerative disc disease was rated at 20 percent prior to August 17, 2010 and increased to 40 percent from that date forward. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected back disability does not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings from November 16, 2009 to November 29, 2013, and from December 12, 2015, forward.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition and a cervical spine condition, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are more likely due to natural aging process rather than his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine disorder were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a Travel Board hearing at the RO in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder resulted in painful limitation of motion, with flare-ups resulting in forward flexion of 30 degrees or less. The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the relevant period on appeal from February 16, 2011. From April 24, 2013, the Veteran was unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to unclear medical opinions and need for additional records.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been manifested by a combined range of motion limited to, at worst, 210 degrees with pain; with muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait. The Board finds that an increased rating of 20 percent for this condition is warranted for the entire appeal period.