Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The case is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current gastrointestinal or low back disabilities to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current post-operative low back disability did not have its clinical onset in active service and is not causally related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and neck disabilities are not service-connected, as they are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by his military service. The VA examiner concluded that it is less likely than not that these conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not been productive of unfavorable ankylosis, and he already has separate service-connected disabilities for neuropathy of the lower extremities. The claim for a higher initial evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to his military service, including by way of a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, right ankle scars, capsulitis of the right ankle, low back strain and hepatitis C, do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to their combined effect.

The VA determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for degenerative disc disease, status post L4-L5 fusion, was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability resulted in ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his claimed disabilities, finding that they are not related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability due to incomplete development and need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain outstanding medical records. The left knee claim will be evaluated based on the current status post arthroscopy, while the lumbar spine disability will be evaluated with consideration of any associated neurologic abnormalities.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings on her interstitial cystitis, lumbosacral strain, left and right lower extremity polyneuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, arranging for a VA spine and peripheral nerves examination, and ensuring all pertinent evidence is considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing, and the claim of service connection for low back disability is still pending as new evidence was submitted but not considered in the previous rating decision.

The Board granted service connection for arthritis of multiple joints and rhinitis, assigned initial noncompensable disability ratings to the Veteran's migraine headaches, lumbar strain, bilateral knee strains, bilateral ankle strains, hypertension, and anxiety disorder (NOS), and increased the rating for migraine headaches since May 14, 2013.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records, as well as clarify the Veteran's service history. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability will be further adjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's effective date for additional compensation payable for a dependent spouse is set at November 1, 2002, based on the receipt of his marriage certificate and subsequent increase in disability rating.