Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and left clavicle fracture were denied as the evidence did not show that either condition warranted a rating in excess of 20 percent or 10 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with service connection established for his thoracolumbar spine disorder and respiratory disorder. The initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is 10 percent prior to September 1, 2010 and 20 percent from that date. A separate increased 20 percent (but no higher) rating was assigned for right upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spine degenerative arthritis from June 20, 2006 to February 5, 2015, followed by a separate 40 percent (but no higher) rating thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA outpatient records and examination reports. The TDIU claim may be effectively re-raised as it was previously denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, bilateral hip and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right foot DJD with hallux valgus post fracture of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd metatarsals disability. Service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities in November 2006, but reopened them with new evidence received since then.,Service connection was not established for cervical stenosis with disc protrusions and cord compression or lumbar spine congenital canal stenosis with intervertebral disc syndrome and nerve root impingement.

The Board found that the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal for her claims and denied them based on lack of evidence to support her service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease with mechanical low back pain and left ear hearing loss disability, but denied service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations. The appeal will be remanded to allow these steps.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development, including scheduling a video-conference hearing before the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of his headaches, dizziness, and low back disability. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for post-surgical scars on the lumbar spine was denied. The cervical spine disability and major depression claims were not granted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude a return to substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a Board hearing.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's urinary incontinence and a VA examination. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.

The case is being remanded for additional development to obtain missing records, provide a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hypertension and coronary artery disease, and determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder and diabetes mellitus are related to his active duty service, but he was not exposed to herbicides during this period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication due to issues related to service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder and neurological disorders of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings were denied. The Board found that hypertension was not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service and did not manifest within one year of service discharge. GERD was not manifested by persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, to any level of severity. For the entire appeal period (with the exception of a period of a temporary total rating as per 38 C.F.R. § 4.30), the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was manifested by functional impairment consisting of subjective complaints of pain and limitation of motion, without limitation of the thoracolumbar spine to less than 60 degrees or limitation of the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 120 degrees. The assignment of an initial 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy as of June 21, 2011, but no earlier, and an initial noncompensable rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy as of March 27, 2012, were proper. The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for right shoulder arthritis were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred during or related to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection.