Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining outstanding records and a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his in-service motorcycle accident and coccyx injury.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10% prior to April 16, 2015 and increased to 40% thereafter. The rating of 40% is maintained since the evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 30 degrees or ankylosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right bicep tendonitis and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining outstanding records. The claim will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing thoracolumbar scoliosis did not worsen during service, and thus cannot be granted service connection for aggravation. The Veteran's current condition is considered to be a direct result of her pre-service condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with arthritis and lumbar laminectomy is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine has been rated at 40 percent since April 1, 2013, considering functional loss due to pain and other symptoms. The rating is based on the criteria for degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and right foot pes planus are not related to service, thus denying both claims.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective January 9, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as the issues are already covered by his existing service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability, manifested by painful limitation of motion with forward flexion to 40 degrees and moderate limitation of motion, warrants a 20 percent initial rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder is not related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.,Therefore, the claim for service connection for a back disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of information regarding the Veteran's functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of his claimed conditions, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service or a pre-existing condition was aggravated by service. The diagnoses are found to be less likely related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back pain and acquired psychiatric disability are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by DDD and spondylosis, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has granted separate ratings of 10 percent for radiculopathy in both the right and left lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new medical examination to address whether the Veteran's low back disability is caused by or permanently aggravated by his service-connected right anterior tibial fasciotomy.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disability related to service, and the Veteran's statements were not credible enough to establish service connection. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for low back disability and neck disability, as well as the claims for numbness of the right arm and fingers of the right hand. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's heart disability is not service-connected, and his back disability does not warrant a higher initial evaluation prior to December 6, 2010. From December 6, 2010 to March 8, 2015, the Veteran's back disability warrants a 40 percent evaluation based on incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least four weeks during the past 12 months. Beginning March 9, 2015, his back disability warrants a 60 percent evaluation due to intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least six weeks during the past 12 months. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective December 6, 2010.