Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine has not been manifested by unfavorable ankylosis, and his initial rating for post traumatic arthritis of the right hip remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability pre-existed service or was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from November 10, 2010. The rating reflects that her range of motion was limited to greater than 30 but not greater than 60 degrees in flexion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including new examinations to assess the functional impairment resulting from his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability did not have its onset in service and is not caused by or related to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as the evidence shows he is capable of performing a sedentary to light demand level of employment.

The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine, effective from June 19, 2017.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. As such, entitlement to a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from March 31, 2016. The VA examiner found that the pain and limitation of motion do not result in additional functional loss.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has not met the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to March 14, 2011 or a 40 percent evaluation on or after that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities are not related to his active military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been rendered moot due to the complete grant of benefits sought on appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim has been granted as the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether it had its onset during active service.,The issue of entitlement to service connection for a back disability has been withdrawn from appellate consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's back and neck disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such during his active duty. The diagnoses provided are from private physicians and do not establish a direct link to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private hospital records from Penrose Saint Francis Health Services and providing VCAA notice regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar sprain and right shoulder muscle strain are related to his service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disorder and neck disorder have been withdrawn due to his appeal being dismissed. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral shin splints has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and PTSD are remanded for further development.