Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 19, 2016. The claim for an increased rating prior to that date remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but granted service connection for residuals of a laceration to the right fifth finger. The low back issue is not established.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the Veteran's duty status in June 1981 and to obtain his service treatment records. The case is now remanded for further action.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability and found that it meets the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction appeal was withdrawn prior to final decision.

The Veteran's claim for various equipment purchases/home modifications under the vocational rehabilitation independent living plan is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and updated independent living assessment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his low back disability and Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder, including lumbar spondylosis (L2. L3), was not incurred in or caused by his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service or any in-service injury. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to her service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's arthritis of the sacro-iliac joints with lumbar strain and spondylolisthesis is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects the limitation in range of motion. The evidence does not show any additional functional loss or incapacitating episodes that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification from Dr. Timmons regarding his January 2012 examination findings, and for additional development concerning the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to functional loss and normal range of motion.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted as there is an approximate balance of negative and positive evidence regarding its relationship to service. Service connection for a back disability has also been granted based on an approximate balance of negative and positive evidence.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of a head injury was not addressed in the decision, but it is presumed that service connection was granted as well due to the nature of the other claims.

The Veteran's bilateral leg disorder, diagnosed as bilateral lower extremity muscle cramps, is related to service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, which has been diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is not related to any injury, disease, or event incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and schizoaffective disorder with major depressive disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a ventral hernia and service connection for back, left knee, and psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran's ventral hernia was rated as 20 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis is manifested by pain with muscle spasm productive of guarding severe enough to lead to an abnormal gait, warranting a 20 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, but denied the claims for bilateral hip and knee disorders as well as cervical spine disorders. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right and left knee, hip, low back, and neck disorders are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.