Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which included S1 ankylosis, did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent due to limited range of motion and pain. The disability was currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral athlete's foot, prostate cancer, PTSD, left knee disability, right knee disability, and low back disability are all service-connected. The diabetes mellitus claim is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for a left hip disability and reopening a previously denied claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disabilities, including lumbar spondylosis and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, began during his military service. The medical evidence supports a finding that these conditions are directly related to his active duty.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder is service-connected, and his sleep apnea is secondary to this condition. The Board finds no evidence of asbestos exposure or other conditions related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities were aggravated by service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected metatarsalgia and ankle disabilities are alleged to have caused or aggravated his lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and cervical spine disorders. The Board is remanded for a new examination and opinion.

The appeal is REMANDED to the AOJ for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claims for a right ankle disability and an increased rating for his low back disability have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a separate right ankle disability, and the current manifestations of the low back disability do not warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's low back disability was not service-connected, and the Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability from February 28, 2008 to July 2, 2010. The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities remains on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disability and a bilateral leg disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Veteran's current disabilities are not considered service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral loss of vision is not related to service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disorder has been granted, with a 40 percent evaluation effective August 24, 2017.

The Board denied all increased rating claims for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder was not incurred in service and is not related to his active military service. The Board also determined that it is less likely than not that the cervical spine disorder is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's syphilis and neurosyphilis are attributable to his active service, including service in Southwest Asia. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for back or neck disabilities, as there is no probative nexus opinion linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran seeks higher evaluations for his service-connected dorsolumbar myositis and left knee strain, as well as entitlement to reopen a claim of service connection for hepatitis C.,His hepatitis C claim is being remanded for an etiological opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hernia (umbilical and ventral) did not manifest during service or is otherwise related to service. The back disability was also found not to be caused by or aggravated by service-connected disease or injury.