Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine musculoligamentous strain/sprain and right ring finger scar were evaluated, but neither condition met the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran was not granted any additional compensation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and disc herniation, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the period from June 16, 2004, to November 13, 2005. His disability rating for his lumbar spine condition is 40 percent on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings for ankylosing spondylitis of the thoracolumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds in his favor based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA medical examination and opinion that adequately addresses the Veteran's back/spinal symptom flare-ups, as well as any other relevant information.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and spondylosis is currently rated at 40 percent disabling as of August 25, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's PTSD has not met the criteria for a higher rating, and his TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability did not have onset in service and was not caused or permanently aggravated by his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis of the low back as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service, and they are not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and leg pain, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 9, 2013.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right shoulder pain is not a separate disability, but rather secondary to her service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were granted, with specific evaluations assigned. The lumbar spine condition was initially evaluated as not meeting the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to February 17, 2011 and from August 16, 2011 onwards. For cervical spine disability, initial compensable evaluation was denied prior to August 16, 2011 but granted at 20 percent thereafter. The left shoulder condition received a compensable evaluation starting from August 16, 2011. Right knee and benign prostatic hypertrophy conditions were initially evaluated as non-compensable. Right-side sciatica was evaluated as moderately severe since January 27, 2015. Hemorrhoids did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have rheumatoid arthritis related to service. The claims for diabetes mellitus, voiding dysfunction (chronic urinary tract infections), finger disabilities of the left hand, finger disabilities of the right hand, and lumbar spine disability are all granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, as the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim (a nexus between his current back disability and service).

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted, with the effective date set at September 22, 2010. The Board found that no prior pending claim or adjudication existed to support retroactive adjustment of the effective date.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a scheduling issue for a videoconference hearing. The primary issue remains the evaluation of his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's low back disability and skin conditions, including psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, were found to be related to service. Service connection was granted for these disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the appellant's service dates and obtain relevant medical records, particularly those from Maxwell Air Force Base Hospital. The claims for service connection will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating effective from December 27, 2012. The condition is characterized by forward flexion limited to 35 degrees and extension to 45 degrees.