Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's spinal disability, characterized as Scheuermann's disease of the thoracolumbar spine, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board denied a higher rating due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion less than 30 degrees or ankylosis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the severity of his back condition, as the March 2014 examination report was inadequate and does not comply with Correia v. McDonald and Sharp v. Shulkin.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) was denied, as the evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome. A separate rating for painful bowel function as a neurological manifestation of DDD was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and back arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of back arthritis started during service and have been continuous since then. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to chronic disease.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and chronic constipation are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine injury and medications for his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, respectively. The Veteran is also granted a 20% disability rating for his hemorrhoids.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and depression due to procedural issues and additional evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, effective February 23, 2012. The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected migraine headaches.,The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypothyroidism and lumbar bulging disc at L5-S1 and degenerative changes with bilateral foraminal stenosis are granted. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of conjunctivitis is remanded, as well as his claims for glaucoma and thoracic spine disability.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder was not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less, and no favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. Therefore, a rating greater than 20 percent is denied for this period.

The Veteran's low back disorder was granted a 20% disability rating from February 12, 2019 to December 1, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and an earlier effective date is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The issues of a rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy, a rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating as there was no evidence of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less or favorable ankylosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis with mild degenerative disc disease, is at least as likely as not related to his service, including parachute jumps during active duty. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder, left deltoid bursitis, left ulnar neuropathy, right hip, and left hip disabilities are granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is remanded, as is his claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of all pending claims and appeals.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to include obtaining VA and private treatment records from Balboa Hospital, specifically regarding the Veteran's back disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as he is currently employed by the United States Federal Government.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle arthritis as secondary to a service-connected right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis. Service connection for the low back disorder is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to military service.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for cervical spine disability was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent. The TDIU claim prior to June 7, 2007, was granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20% and his impairment of the sciatic nerve due to radiculopathy/peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity was initially rated at 20%, but later increased to 40%. The Board denied higher ratings for both conditions.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20%.