Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, Lumbosacral Strain, Sinusitis, Allergic Rhinitis, and Bilateral Pes Planus. Additionally, the Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for Sleep Apnea secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records. The Veteran's low back disorder and foot disorder claims are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied, as her disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation. The claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol dependence, lumbosacral sprain, cervical sprain with degenerative changes, and neuropathic symptoms of the right lower extremity. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a back condition. The Veteran's current back condition is found to be related to his active military service.

The Board found no evidence of a low back condition during service or within one year thereafter, and denied the claim for service connection. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy was also not linked to his service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disorder during service and concluded that the current condition is not related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his degenerative changes of the lumbar spine was granted, with an effective date from July 7, 2008 to January 5, 2010. The disability is rated at 20 percent during this period and 10 percent thereafter.

The Board found that the reduction in the rating for the Veteran's low back disability from 40 to 20 percent was appropriate due to improvement in her condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations and additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities are inextricably intertwined with his psychiatric condition claim.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective June 24, 2010. The case was remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the impact of service-connected depression and low back disabilities on the Veteran's ability to function in work-related tasks prior to August 21, 2006.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been manifested by symptoms of painful motion, stiffness, forward flexion to 20 degrees, and incapacitating episodes with a total duration of at least six weeks per a 12 month period. For the entire increased rating period from November 24, 2008, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated as 60 percent disabling.

The Veteran's back disability is characterized by tightness, pain and limitation of motion. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent. For his residuals of burns to the fingers, there is no clinical evidence showing such condition.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left hip, leg, and low back disorders. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examination. Additional development is needed, including obtaining updated treatment records and providing a new opinion from an appropriate medical professional.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and as a result, the Board dismisses the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to scheduling issues and the need for an SOC on the issue of additional VA disability compensation based on the dependency of C.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome (IDS) of the cervical and lumbar spine was rated based on its severity, with increased ratings granted for certain periods.