Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been rated based on their underlying spinal conditions. The current appeal pertains to increased ratings for these conditions.,For the period prior to February 20, 2013, the Veteran’s lumbosacral strain was rated at 10 percent and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent. Since then, both conditions have been rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing medical records and an addendum opinion is needed to reconcile conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is granted service connection because it is presumed to have started during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has decided to remand several issues related to his knee disabilities, low back disability, thigh disability (characterized by pain), hip disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The appeal is being remanded due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of his claim for an initial compensable disability rating for status-post right elbow contusion. The Board also finds that additional VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's claims regarding service connection for right knee condition, lower back condition, right hip disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and low back disorders are granted. The claim for bilateral knee disorder is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory problems and granted a 10 percent rating for tinea corporis. The remaining issues have been remanded due to inadequate development.

The appeal regarding service connection for a right knee disability is dismissed. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and lumbosacral spine disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with canal stenosis is denied. The current evaluation of 40 percent, effective November 1, 2015, is found to be appropriate based on the evidence showing forward flexion not greater than 30 degrees and no ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to issues related to his back disorder and TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and determined that his current back disabilities, including lumbar disc disease with radiculopathy, are associated with his active duty service. The rating assigned is 30%.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee and cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The criteria for higher disability ratings were not met.

The Veteran's claim of a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence. The current 20% rating will remain in effect until further notice.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder and thoracolumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and levoscoliosis. Service connection is denied for a chronic rash.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of gastrointestinal, inguinal hernia, low back, or bilateral knee disabilities. The claims for these conditions are being remanded to allow for further development and potential clinical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for low back, left arm, and left-hand disabilities. The appeals were not reopened as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective March 1, 2014. The reduction is not proper and the rating has been restored.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his right shoulder, left shoulder, lumbar spine, IBS, bilateral ankles, and left knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed neck, low back, and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of chronicity within one year post-service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and a bilateral leg disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his in-service injuries or treatment.