Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The low back disorder is found to have had its onset during active duty, while the bilateral hearing loss does not meet the definition of a disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disabilities are related to injuries he sustained during service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to address service connection and aggravation of pre-existing scoliosis.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disability, which he contends is related to his military service or the residuals of a fracture of his left femur. The Board has determined that additional development is needed and remands the case.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective November 30, 2010. The Board found that the condition warranted a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia but denied service connection for neck, thoracolumbar spine, and right hip disorders other than those related to fibromyalgia.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and left ankle sprain. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability was found to not warrant a rating greater than 10 percent prior to December 12, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his low back disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent from February 16, 2000 to January 30, 2002, a rating higher than 20 percent from January 31, 2002 to May 29, 2007, and a rating higher than 40 percent since May 30, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder and associated radiculopathy do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, albeit in a sedentary capacity.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and found that the Veteran's current condition is attributable to his active military service. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

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

The Veteran's appeals are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including an opinion on whether his current Reiter's syndrome/reactive arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected genitourinary problems.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease, did not originate in service or within one year of service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee arthritis and lumbar osteoarthritis, contributed to his death from septic shock. Service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records from SSA and VA Fayetteville.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees and a combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees without abnormal gait or abnormal spine contour; there is no evidence of muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis. There is no evidence of incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least two weeks during a 12 month period; and there is no objective evidence of neurological manifestations warranting additional separate ratings, other than those currently assigned for right and left lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and its impact on his employability. The claim for TDIU based on all of his service-connected disabilities will also be developed.