Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The VA examiner determined that the low back disorder is not related to service and was more likely due to natural aging or her sedentary occupation. The Board also found no evidence of a neck condition during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded another VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected low back disability and whether he is unemployable due to this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral foot strain disabilities are remanded to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's initial claim of a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was granted, with an effective date of May 29, 2006. The Board remanded the case multiple times and in August 2013, he was assigned a 40 percent rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability since January 14, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder due to missing VA medical records and an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and residuals of a left rotator cuff injury, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim for hypertension was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 60 percent, and he is granted TDIU effective from July 17, 2005. The claim for a higher rating based on the musculoskeletal back disability remains denied.

The Veteran's incisional neuroma has been rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Veteran's death was ruled due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and low back pain with degenerative disc disease. The Board found that the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) were met as there was a single service-connected disability rated as total (PTSD) and an additional disability independently ratable at 60 percent (low back pain with degenerative disc disease).

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and requests clarification on whether a videoconference or Travel Board hearing is desired.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause him to be unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and left knee chondrocalcinosis, as these conditions may be related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's cervical neck strain and mixed tension and migraine headaches have been granted higher disability ratings, while the status post lumbar strain remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right ankle sprain residuals, left foot fracture residuals, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service exposure. Service connection for PTSD, COPD, and a lumbar spine disability are granted. The claim for an equilibrium disorder was not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his sleep apnea, TMJ, and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for the service-connected lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were granted, but only at a 10 percent rating from July 1, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant higher ratings during this initial period.