Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as his range of motion and functional loss do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and colonic polyps are not related to service, with the exception of a possible relationship between his back condition and aging. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in the rating for his residual scars was denied. The effective date of service connection for a low back disability is March 19, 2004. The correct bilateral factor was applied effective April 16, 2003. A 40 percent rating has been granted for the Veteran's lumbar strain since March 19, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for residuals of T11 compression fracture with moderate post-traumatic lumbar spondylosis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 5, 2008; between January 5, 2008 and July 28, 2016; or thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent on an extraschedular basis, and the Board finds that this rating adequately compensates for his symptoms and does not warrant an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was not aggravated during service and is not shown to have been aggravated by any service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for bilateral pes planus cannot be established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his neck disorder and lumbosacral strain. The claims will be reconsidered in light of Correia v. McDonald (2016).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar spondylosis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for upper back and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for a Gulf War examination.

The Board has found that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease and scoliosis are related to her active duty service, granting her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back strain with myofascial pain has been rated at 20 percent prior to October 31, 2016 and increased to 40 percent from that date. The effective date for the increase in rating is July 28, 2017.,The Veteran's service-connected low back strain with myofascial pain warrants a higher rating than currently assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic prostatitis is secondary to his service-connected diverticulitis and grants this claim. The low back condition issue remains pending for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete opinions and need for clarification on theories of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of his claims for service connection.

The Veteran is granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 20 percent, but no more, effective since August 25, 2017. Bilateral hearing loss is not compensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis are related to his military service, including a fall from a helicopter during combat in Vietnam. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's depression and lumbar spine condition are related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, granting service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis.