Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no competent or credible evidence showing arthritis to a compensable degree within this timeframe. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was rated at 10 percent before December 17, 2010. The criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a right knee disorder, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability did not begin during service and was not caused by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for service connection for right ankle disability and denied all other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's psoriatic arthropathy of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 40 percent from June 16, 1998 to April 7, 1999. From August 30, 2002, a 100 percent rating for psoriasis with psoriatic arthropathy of the lumbosacral spine is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, issuance of a new notice letter, and development of the issue regarding entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess his service-connected low back disability, left knee strain, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before deciding the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with bilateral radiculopathy.,Regarding the issue of service connection for a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), the evidence does not support finding that it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and obtaining more recent medical records. The TDIU claim will also be considered.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed before this claim can be readjudicated on its merits.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings for hypertension, low back disorder, left eye pterygium, lower lip scar, PFB, and right eye pterygium excision residuals to the RO via the AMC.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine disability did not meet the criteria for service connection as it was preexisting and did not worsen during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his military service and denied both issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back sprain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current disability level.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, postoperative laminectomy and fusion was granted a 40 percent rating effective January 24, 2012. The claim for an earlier effective date for this higher rating is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye disability, bilateral wrist disabilities, and low back disability were not incurred in or aggravated by military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for all issues, including service connection and increased rating claims.