Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to November 28, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling of VA examinations to determine the current severity of his cervical spine disorder. The claim will be reconsidered after these examinations are completed.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and retrolisthesis at L5-S1 is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, which meets the criteria for a higher rating. However, there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant a higher rating.

The case is being sent back to the agency of original jurisdiction for review of additional evidence submitted by the Veteran, including a March 2013 opinion from Ralph B. Holtby.

The Board finds that service connection for residuals of second-degree burns on the palms with nerve damage is not warranted due to inadequate evidence of current disability. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD is found to have become manifest during his active duty service and granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back strain and mechanical low back pain did not manifest during or as a result of active military service, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, granting service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome, status post laminectomy, lumbar spine as secondary to service-connected total left and right knee replacements and left knee instability.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a sinus disorder was withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran has sleep apnea that is likely traceable to his period of active duty service.

The claims of service connection for psychiatric disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, right knee disability and low back disability are being REMANDED to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and for new VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed loss of balance, low back disorder, and headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination and opinion provided. The case will be reviewed again after additional development, including an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal includes a claim for an increased rating for her lumbar sprain and strain, currently rated at 20 percent. She also has a claim for TDIU based on all of her service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain updated examinations and ensure compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability due to inadequate medical opinion. The TDIU issue remains on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service and no probative medical nexus linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and could not be presumed to have been incurred due to a disease or injury in service. The VA examination did not provide an opinion on whether her current back disability is related to service-connected right knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and additional medical records. The goal is to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including right and left shoulder injuries, low back strain with degenerative joint disease, left ankle injury, left elbow injury, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, hemorrhoids, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and left leg deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were granted increased ratings. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, cervical spine disability, sinusitis, right knee disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis issues remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his active military service, and therefore grants service connection for degenerative disk disease, status post lumbar fusion, rod and pedicle screws.