Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain was granted a disability rating of 20 percent prior to August 21, 2012 and increased to 40 percent beginning on that date. The right knee patellofemoral syndrome remains at the 10 percent level.

The case is being remanded to obtain additional opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and his bilateral peripheral neuropathies of the lower extremities. The claims will be readjudicated after these opinions are obtained.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which meets the percentage requirements for a TDIU. However, his service-connected condition does not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted prior to March 30, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need to clarify whether the Veteran wants another hearing. The claim will be returned to the Board after this is done.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a disability of the cervical spine, which he claims is related to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine. The Board has remanded this issue due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar disc derangement/herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-5, L5-S1 (low back disability) is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 24, 2010 and in excess of 20 percent from March 24, 2010. The Veteran's service-connected neuropathy of the right lower extremity has been granted an initial rating of 20 percent effective March 24, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his active service and finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to her limited range of motion and lack of other significant symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine manifested during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, as her forward flexion was not limited to 30 degrees or less and she had not been prescribed bed rest due to her disability.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, cervical spine disabilities (both periods), and left shoulder disability. The evidence did not establish a chronic or new condition during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, a back disorder, and a left knee disorder as the evidence did not establish an in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.,There is no clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing asthma existed before his acceptance into active duty. The Board found that there was no aggravation during service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disabilities, finding that his congenital lumbarization at L5 with early degenerative changes existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service. The remaining low back conditions are considered superimposed diseases that began post-service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are not related to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and degenerative disc disease T12-L3 have been rated at the highest possible level due to their severity.