Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lower back pain is manifested by characteristic pain on motion and, during flare-ups, forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less. The Board finds that the Veteran warrants a 40 percent disability rating for his lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current back disability is related to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for mechanical low back strain with multilevel degenerative spondylosis is granted, while her claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the lower extremities remain denied.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to November 20, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for further development, including an additional VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease status post fusion surgery warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective December 1, 2008. The neurologic abnormality is not separately compensable.

The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative joint disease prior to December 2, 2013, was found not to meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his complete service personnel records and VA treatment records. Additional medical opinions are also needed regarding the diagnoses of psychiatric disorders, vasovagal syncope, seborrheic keratosis and actinic keratosis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's wife has multiple disabling conditions that require the aid and attendance of another person, qualifying him for SMC benefits. The claims for service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to PTSD are denied.

The Board has determined that the December 2009 rating decision never became final due to new and material evidence provided by the Veteran in July 2010. The case is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining private treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right elbow, left elbow, left hand, and back disorders. The case will be remanded for a VA examination and any other necessary actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's lower back condition, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, is not causally related to service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine symptoms had improved following surgery to the extent he could return to light duty employment, and thus denied an extension of a temporary total rating beyond May 31, 2008. The case is now remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case on the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability and multiple sclerosis are related to his military service, with the latter being secondary to the former.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for viral hepatitis and found that new and material evidence has been received. Service connection is granted for viral hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, left and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left and right arm/elbow tendonitis, bilateral hip disability (secondary to left knee injury), and back disability (secondary to left knee injury).

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's claimed disorders to his active duty service and determined that they are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's lower back disorder and its relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, respiratory disorder (asthma), and hepatitis C. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for a back disorder.