Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from May 1, 2002. The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities has been raised and addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, a back disability, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were all denied by the Board.

The Veteran's service connection claims for arthralgia of the skeletal joints, myalgia, gastrointesintal disability (claimed as a stomach disorder), and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine have been granted. The Veteran's psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) has also been granted. An increased rating for his low back disability is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a low back or knee disability in service, and the competent medical opinions did not support a secondary service connection claim. The Veteran's current disabilities are considered to be unrelated to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorders, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and compression fracture T-12, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a low back disorder that manifested in service or within one year thereafter and is causally related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed in order to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including a TDIU claim and an evaluation of his right knee disability. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disability claims. The RO must ensure all relevant records are associated with the case file.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to conduct a new VA examination and review of the claims file, including private medical records and service treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disorders, including as secondary to his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis. The case is now remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including back and neck injuries sustained during service, do not meet the criteria for service connection. The evidence does not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee sprains, as well as his claim for service connection for chronic back pain were all denied by the RO.

The Board finds that the Veteran's neck disability is directly related to service and grants service connection for a neck disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes and intervertebral disc syndrome was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not show any incapacitating episodes due to the disability, which prevented a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent for over a decade, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis. The claim for service connection for left hand arthritis and TDIU is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for fibrosing mediastinitis, back condition (originally claimed as back pain), and right thigh condition. The decision also reopened his previously denied claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation as they are consistent with the current 20 percent rating.