Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with traumatic characteristics was found to be manifested by flexion to 85 degrees prior to January 15, 2015 and flexion to 60 degrees on and after that date. The Board determined these findings did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to November 16, 2009. The Board is required to determine if there is plausible evidence that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities prior to this date.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right knee, left knee, and right hip osteoarthritis have been granted at 10 percent each. The Veteran is also rated separately for limitation of extension in the right hip (rated as a separate condition). The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent, with no higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or other specific criteria being met. The Veteran's left lower sciatic nerve neuralgia has not warranted a higher initial evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, PTSD, chronic pain disorder, and other neurological disorders. The decision is based on the lack of evidence supporting a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted an increased evaluation of 40 percent effective November 13, 2013. He also received a separate rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disorders. The Veteran's hyperthyroidism, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, right foot disorder, myopia, swelling of the left testicle, and tinea versicolor are all found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the increased ratings for the neurologic manifestations of his low back disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and glaucoma are not related to his active duty service, and thus denies these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, a low back disorder, and a bilateral lower extremity neurologic disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a final decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing and issuance of an SOC for certain claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed respiratory disorder, back disability, hypertension, and gout are not related to service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine DJD and cervical spondylosis effective June 26, 2007. The Veteran is also entitled to separate disability ratings for bilateral upper extremity and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, neurogenic bladder, and impairment of sphincter control effective December 11, 2012.

The Veteran's service separation form shows he had continuous active service from January 5, 1961 to December 27, 1962. However, his service ended before the start of the Vietnam era and does not meet the criteria for qualifying wartime service as required by law.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the back and therefore, service connection for a back disability cannot be granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes was granted a 20 percent evaluation effective April 12, 2010. The claim for higher evaluations prior to that date remains on appeal.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's COPD, low back disorder, or arthritis of the right knee to his military service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic low back condition in service or within one year after separation from service. The current low back disability is not shown to be related to an inservice injury.