Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's neurological impairment of bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is not related to his service-connected low back strain, and thus denied a separate compensable rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain Social Security Administration records and for further development. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder tendonitis. The low back disability claim will be remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS, finding that it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy with neurogenic claudication and foot drop are service-connected, as they were incurred or aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his service-connected back disability, arthritis of multiple joints, and eye disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding treatment records and the need for additional examinations to address whether the Veteran's low back disability is secondary to his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical, left shoulder, right shoulder, and low back disabilities had their onset during his active service in Vietnam. The evidence supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability to service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for examinations to determine the severity of his lumbar disc disease, depressive disorder, and pes planus.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent since April 9, 2014. The Board has granted this rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, and degenerative joint disease was manifested by incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least six weeks during the past 12 months from February 23, 2009 to March 1, 2012. A rating of 60 percent for this period is granted.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed degenerative joint and disc disease with levoscoliosis and lumbar strain is related to an in-service motor vehicle accident, and the Board finds that service connection should be granted.

The Board has determined that a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability is granted effective December 11, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her low back disability was denied by the Board, as the current evaluation of 20 percent adequately reflects the severity of her symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as a result of service, and the back disability issue has been remanded for further examination. The right ear hearing loss initial rating remains noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for a right tibia fracture, a right knee disability (osteoarthritis), and a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.