Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent prior to December 3, 2008. The Board has remanded the cases for further development and rating consideration.

The Veteran's lumbar spine myofascial syndrome is rated at 20 percent since December 4, 2020. Separate ratings of 10 percent are assigned for radiculopathy affecting the left and right lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for cervical strain and lumbar strain were denied. The current ratings of 30 percent for cervical strain and 40 percent for lumbar strain are not higher than what is warranted based on the evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on in-service injuries during parachute jumps.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from May 21, 2009, until October 18, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability but has remanded the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in connection with this appeal were not sufficient to determine the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy. The Board is therefore remanding the case for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or IVDS, as there was no ankylosis present.

The Board denied a rating higher than 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back and left leg disorders due to incomplete STRs. The Veteran's STRs are unclear regarding in-service motor vehicle accidents, which need to be verified.

The Veteran's effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD with MDD is granted as of May 19, 2015. The low back disorder issue has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left hip condition has been reopened. The claim for hearing loss and tinnitus remains denied.,Service connection was denied for the back and right hip conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining employment consistent with his occupational and vocational experience prior to June 13, 2020.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis with vertebral fracture, thoracolumbar spine due to limited range of motion and functional loss. The current rating is appropriate given the Veteran's symptoms and examination findings.

The Board has denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy, as well as his anxiety disorder. The case is REMANDED to obtain updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine DDD and strain with scoliosis were granted a 20 percent disability rating prior to July 24, 2017. From that date forward, the claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a low back injury and degenerative arthritis, but denied service connection for a cervical spine disability. The low back condition is presumed to have existed prior to service and was aggravated by an in-service pool injury.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection and rating of disabilities. The Veteran's initial claim for lumbar spine disability was granted, but a higher rating is denied. Right shoulder disability also remains at 20 percent. Residual scars associated with post-spinal fusion have been rated as 10 percent prior to December 24, 2019 and the issue of increased rating remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, bilateral hip condition, and hypertension (HTN), to include as due to herbicide agent exposure. The Veteran must be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any conditions found.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.