Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a separate rating for headaches were denied. The cervical spine disability was rated as 10 percent disabling, and the headaches did not warrant a separate rating.

The Veteran's multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, effective December 5, 2011. His chronic cervical sprain/strain remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination of the Veteran's low back disability and an opinion regarding her employability due to service-connected disabilities. The issues on appeal are whether she is entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for her low back injury and whether she is unemployable due to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to July 29, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective March 23, 2010. The rating is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to that date.,The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 23, 2010. The rating is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to that date.,The Veteran's service-connected L4-5 radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent. The rating is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain with degenerative joint disease at L2-3 and L4-5 is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5293. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his right pelvis and acetabulum disabilities. The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the relationship between the current low back disability and service, as well as whether it is aggravated by his service-connected residuals of fractured right pelvis and acetabulum. Additionally, a VA examination is required to assess the severity of his service-connected right pelvis and acetabulum disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated at 40 percent prior to November 4, 2005 and increased to 50 percent since that date. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's low back disability and service-connected constipation and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative changes, lumbar spine, status post lumbar laminectomy with instrumentation has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran meets the threshold disability rating requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, pes planus with plantar fasciitis, cervical strain, lumbar strain, right shoulder acromioclavicular joint hypertrophy and strain (major), and left shoulder strain (minor) were denied as there is no current evidence of a bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations. The Veteran's service treatment records show exposure to noise during service but do not indicate the presence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar fibromyositis with mechanical low back pain has been denied. The current disability is rated at the maximum available under the applicable diagnostic code, and there are no provisions that allow for an increased rating based on functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain with L4 defect is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastritis was granted, and he is now entitled to this benefit. The claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with lumbar fracture and for service connection for a right rib disability are still pending.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and updated medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review, including securing SSA medical records and scheduling a VA orthopedic examination to determine if the Veteran's back disability or right ankle disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be decided. The Veteran's lower back disability and bilateral leg cramps are both at issue, and an examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's right thigh myositis ossificans and right knee osteoarthritis were granted initial evaluations in excess of the assigned ratings. Service connection was established for hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hypertrophy with urinary obstruction, and hypertension.