Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected lung disability is rated at 60 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his other disabilities. The issue of an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of acute bronchitis is reconsidered and granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim, as a relevant service treatment record was submitted in June 1983.

The Veteran's service-connected open-angle glaucoma and lumbar arthritis have been granted, with a TDIU also being granted effective July 20, 2010. The VA has scheduled the Veteran for an examination to determine the current severity of his lumbar spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus was noted at entry into service and did not increase in severity during service, thus denying service connection for this condition. The thoracolumbar spine disability is also denied as it is considered a direct result of the pes planus.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right knee patella femoral syndrome, as well as his low back strain disability, have been granted at a non-compensable level (0 percent) effective July 28, 2008. The Board found that the disabilities are manifested by symptoms such as painful motion, swelling, weakened movement, flare-ups, and use of pain medication.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a hearing. The claims of increased evaluations and effective date are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a musculoskeletal strain of the low back, but denied service connection for right and left ankle disorders, TBI, and vision disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right and left ankle disabilities are currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, while the low back disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran is seeking to establish service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right sciatica, which he contends are related to his service-connected right knee disability. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed and the case is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been raised by the record and must be addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination for cervical spine disability and a need to issue an SOC regarding the claim of higher rating for lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed for the claims of higher ratings for his knee and foreleg conditions. The Board found in favor of service connection for a low back disability, with the evidence being at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with examinations to assess his lumbar spine and hemorrhoid disabilities, as well as determining the nature and etiology of any cervical spine disability. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have continued since then. The evidence is at least in equipoise on whether these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected as they are not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent disabling, effective October 1, 2005. The RO has granted a higher rating for the service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee sprain, right knee sprain, and low back strain are related to service. The claims for these disabilities have been granted.

The Veteran's back disability is related to his active service and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for a back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability began in active service and grants service connection for this condition.