Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his chronic lumbosacral strain and cervical spine disability, have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal, indicating she is satisfied with the decision made and wants to withdraw any remaining issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is not related to his service. The claim for service connection for an acquired back disorder must be denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining unit training records and updated medical records. The increased rating claim for his thoracolumbar back disability will also be addressed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, contributed substantially or materially to his death from metastatic gastric cancer. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions caused or aggravated the Veteran's gastric cancer.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not been shown to warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and his service-connected back disability alone does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to service, and therefore does not warrant service connection.,There is no evidence of a current contact dermatitis or concrete poisoning in service, and any such condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's low back pain with degenerative changes was found to not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder arthritis is rated at a 10 percent disability rating for the period of time prior to September 21, 2013 and a 20 percent disability rating beginning September 21, 2013. The Veteran's back disability (claimed as residuals of a gunshot wound) has been granted service connection.,The Veteran is not entitled to an increased disability rating for his service-connected left shoulder arthritis or service connection for a right shoulder disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not established as service-connected, with no presumption or secondary service connection provided.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to work.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the RO incorrectly adjudicated other issues and failed to provide an adequate examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected lumbosacral strain has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his in-service injury and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine has been rated at 40 percent since February 24, 2014. This rating is based on his current symptoms and does not include any additional disability due to ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5243. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.