Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left ankle disability and lumbar spine disability were denied as the evidence did not show that either condition warranted a rating higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back condition is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, anxiety disorder, and low back disability are all related to his service-connected right ankle condition. The skin condition is linked to his anxiety disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the increased disability rating for spondylolisthesis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine prior to a decision by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the cause of his upper and lower extremity deficits, including whether they are due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and will provide an opportunity for the appellant to submit additional evidence before readjudicating his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service, including his in-service fall and carrying radio equipment on his back.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of in-service events or conditions that could be linked to his current disabilities. His hearing loss is not compensable, and he does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, degenerative joint disease, radiculopathy, or peripheral neuropathy.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lumbar spine disorder present in service or within one year after discharge, and concluded that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his current lumbar spine condition is not related to service, and more likely a result of work injuries.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, diagnosed as status post cervical spine fusion C3 to C6 with radiculopathy, is etiologically related to the spine injury he sustained during service.,The Veteran's low back disability (claimed as osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease) is not permanently aggravated by his service-connected anterior compression fractures of T12 and L1.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, neck disorder, and back disorder. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service, thus resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted for cervical spine degenerative joint and disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease, and headaches. However, there is no evidence linking a bilateral leg disorder to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disability, to include congenital scoliosis of the thoracic spine, degenerative disc disease of the mid-thoracic spine, and spondylosis of L4, is not related to active service. Therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain has not met the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to June 1, 2011, and in excess of 20 percent on or after June 1, 2011.

The Veteran's back disability is evaluated at a 20 percent rating based on limitation of motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as there is no evidence of favorable ankylosis or forward flexion to 30 degrees.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining inpatient records from Fort Wainwright and Fort Bragg, as well as scheduling a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The examiner is instructed to address all relevant diagnoses and provide opinions regarding the likelihood that any diagnosed conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not resulted in limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least four weeks but less than six weeks during the past 12 months. Therefore, his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine has been rated at 40 percent since March 13, 2014. The evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right thigh contusion, left foot disorder, right wrist disorder, throat disorder (claimed as reflux), and low back strain were all denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic residuals associated with these conditions that manifested during or as a result of active military service.