Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability, effective March 29, 2006. For bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy prior to May 27, 2009, the Veteran is rated at 10 percent each leg; from May 27, 2009, he is rated at 20 percent each leg.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome and right lower extremity radiculopathy have not met the criteria for a higher rating, with no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes as required for a higher rating.

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

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative changes is related to service and he is granted service connection.,His sinusitis is rated at 50 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for occasional vertigo.

The Board has granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine with radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including new examinations for the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability and granted entitlement to this condition. The Veteran's current diagnoses include osteoarthritis in his right leg, left knee, hips, and headaches, all presumed secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is causally related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for a left-sided oral disorder was also granted, as it is considered secondary to the right-sided oral disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from engaging in any type of gainful employment, with physical or sedentary work. The case is also referred to the Director for extra-schedular consideration on the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hip and lumbar spine disabilities. The Board finds that additional development is needed prior to deciding the issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder and low back disorder have been denied as there is no medical evidence showing a link between his current conditions and his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and provide retrospective medical opinions regarding its service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with myositis and lumbar DJD and DDD is currently rated at 40 percent, effective June 29, 2015. The rating for the right lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 20 percent. A separate 20 percent rating is assigned for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for service connection due to a lack of official military records and inconsistencies in his reported dates of service. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests a VA examination to determine if any current back disability is related to service, including consideration of all past diagnoses. The Veteran's claim for service connection remains pending.

The Veteran seeks service connection for low back, neck, and right lower extremity disabilities. The Board finds that additional VA examinations are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, respiratory failure due to COPD, is related to his service-connected shell fragment wound of the right chest status post removal of 2.5 inches of the rib, Muscle Group XXI.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine condition and granted a 30 percent rating effective from April 16, 2003. The Veteran's cervical spine condition is also service-connected.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain medical records and the Veteran's consent for VA to seek additional private treatment records. The claims will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disorder or a separate left lower extremity condition (presumed to be Restless Legs Syndrome) that is related to service. The current conditions are considered to be due to natural progression of degenerative disease and post-service injuries.