Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease L5-S1 with spondylolysis has been granted. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at the maximum allowable under DC 5201, resulting in a final rating of 40%.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a low back disorder due to additional development of evidence, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability and its relationship to service. The appeal is pending further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings for lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the right leg at a Travel Board hearing, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's alcohol abuse is caused or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete attempts at obtaining private medical records and inadequate VA examination.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine effective August 19, 2014. The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is separately rated and no additional compensation is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his back disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to July 23, 2007 for the award of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is denied as no claim was received before that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar and thoracic spine condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury, granting service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's impairment of sphincter control, status post hemorrhoidectomy, has been granted a 30 percent rating effective July 28, 2008. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider the increased rating claim for hypertension with headaches as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in November 2015.

The Veteran's left wrist arthritis is presumed to be related to service. His lumbar spine disability, diagnosed in service, has persisted since then and is considered presumptive due to his active duty service. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent for arthritis with a separate 20 percent rating for instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is related to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with strain. The claim for a higher evaluation for the lumbar spine disability prior to March 7, 2014, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum VA examination.