Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence, requiring further review by VA.

The Veteran's low back strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current low back disability was incurred or aggravated by his period of active service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a nexus between the Veteran's in-service back pain and his current condition.

For the period prior to February 6, 2015, the Veteran's right shoulder disorder was rated as 10% disabling and his low back strain as 10% disabling.,Beginning February 6, 2015, the Veteran's right shoulder disorder was rated at 20% and his low back strain remained at 10%. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder dislocations and subluxations are currently rated as 10% prior to February 6, 2015 and 20% beginning that date. His low back strain remains at 10% since the initial grant of service connection in August 2008.,The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not entitled to a higher rating based on its current manifestations, as it does not meet the criteria for nonunion of the clavicle with loose movement or dislocation of the clavicle. The low back strain remains at 10% since August 2008.

The Board finds that the Veteran's fatigue, joint pain and myalgia are not due to an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness. The symptoms are more likely related to his diagnosed conditions such as cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disability, wrist disability, diabetes with neuropathy, PTSD, and fibromyalgia.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's chronic lumbosacral pain, finding that it is related to an injury in service. The remaining issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, cardiovascular disability, and left knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders, as well as the severity of service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's reopened claim of service connection for a back disorder is denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, as well as his claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and SMC. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine IVDS with degenerative changes is rated at 40 percent effective March 4, 2011. The disability picture warrants this rating as the condition has resulted in limited forward flexion and other functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, which was not decided on the merits. The claim will be reconsidered with a VA examination.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is related to his in-service neck injury, and affords him the benefit of doubt.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated medical records and conduct further examinations to determine the nature of the Veteran's low back disability, its etiology, and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's low back disability is related to his military service, and he has right ankle arthritis that is also related to his service. The Veteran's right knee disability requires further examination as it may be aggravated by other conditions.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus condition does not require any specific theory of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection and initial evaluations for various conditions, with the exception of PTSD prior to October 20, 2015. The right great toe disability is rated at 20 percent, while the low back disability remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, left hand and ring finger disorder, heart murmur, bilateral knee disorder, bronchitis, and low back disorder are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under the applicable laws and regulations.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar strain with degenerative arthritis or cervical spine strain with degenerative changes.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent effective November 23, 2011. He also received a TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for ankylosis, and he retained some range of motion despite significant pain. The issue of entitlement to a separate compensable rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded.