Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a right index finger scar was denied as the scar is not deep or limited in motion, and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper and lower extremities was denied. The claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine (prior to September 8, 2015), and cervical spine (from September 8, 2015 onwards) were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for initial review of additional evidence submitted by the Veteran, including a September 2015 electromyography/nerve conduction study and an Additional Evidence Response Form. The case will be remanded due to inadequate examination in January 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records from 1993 to 2000. The claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in a 20 percent rating for low back syndrome was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show more than slight limitation of motion, and therefore, no higher rating could be assigned.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent from June 24, 2011 until July 9, 2015. Effective July 9, 2015, the Veteran is entitled to a rating of 60 percent for his low back disability and a separate 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with it.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may arthritis be presumed to have been incurred during service. The Veteran's headaches were also not linked to service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease, finding that the claim was filed after May 31, 2005. The Veteran's back disorder issue is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for skin cancer and a back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and back conditions are related to his in-service motorcycle accident, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he has passed away.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, including status post laminectomy, lumbar spine spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, L5-S1, and right-sided sacroiliitis condition is related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder (tinea versicolor) and found that the Veteran's current skin condition is related to his in-service fungal infection. The Board also found that the Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities, right hip degenerative joint disease and left hip degenerative joint disease, are not connected to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (combined rating of 90%) render him incapable of maintaining regular substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including TBI with vertigo, nausea and headaches, COPD, sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction (ED), and left hand disability are all denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's combined schedular evaluation is 100 percent from November 1, 1995. The Board has granted the Veteran a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury is denied as there was no evidence of a current disability, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any in-service event resulted in such a disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of heat exhaustion is denied as there was no evidence of a current disability, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any in-service event resulted in such a disability.

The Veteran's service connection for a depressive disorder is granted. The rating for lumbosacral strain with lumbosacral DDD remains at 20 percent, and the initial rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from February 14, 2011, to July 28, 2013, is granted at 10 percent. The rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity since July 29, 2013, is granted at 20 percent.