Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with chronic lumbar strain is currently rated at 40 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability and left leg disability manifested by numbness are not related to active military service. The preponderance of evidence shows that these disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate medical examination and the need for further review of newly submitted evidence.

The Board denied service connection for low back and left shoulder disorders, finding that the Veteran did not have current disabilities attributable to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 17, 2012 and increased to 60 percent from that date. Separate ratings of 20 percent were granted for moderate incomplete paralysis of the left and right femoral nerves.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Board videoconference hearing at either the VA Medical Center in Pensacola or the Montgomery, Alabama, RO. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted the reopening of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, including as secondary to a service-connected left hip disability. The issue of service connection for a right hip disorder was withdrawn prior to decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the service and private medical records regarding the appellant's claimed knee and back disorders. The VA examiner will be asked to provide opinions on whether these conditions are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by events during service, including physical training exercises and motor vehicle accidents.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, is attributable to his in-service service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of a rating in excess for back disability and service connection for cervical spine disability have not been decided.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain VA treatment records and provide an adequate VA examination and nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was granted a 10 percent disability rating effective April 20, 2010. The rating for this condition has been increased to 40 percent from August 15, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for Parkinson's disease and a low back disorder, but the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and a skin disorder remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The case is also remanded to determine the impact of his service-connected low back disability on employment and to adjudicate his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for herniated spinal discs, left foot neuropathy, and right foot neuropathy have been granted.

The Veteran's low back disability, which is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, has been found to meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating based on forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but no greater than 60 degrees. The Veteran's symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not result in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, nor do they indicate unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a thoracic vertebrae compression fracture during service or at any time thereafter. The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was not incurred in or aggravated by service.