Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board also dismissed the appeal as to his claims for increased initial ratings for migraine headaches and degenerative changes to the right shoulder.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for cervical spine strain was granted under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, but his secondary claim for benefits related to left arm radiculopathy and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a VA examination for his low back disability and right foot injury.

The Veteran's low back condition, characterized as thorolumbar muscular pain and later diagnosed as low back strain, has been rated at 20% since March 1, 2008. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a three-month extension of his temporary total rating from March 1, 2008 through May 31, 2008.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a skin condition, low back disability, and mental disorder. The claim for periarticular sclerosis of the right hip is denied as there is no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 10 percent, effective March 22, 2007. The current rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and a left hip disability, finding that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, and his lumbar spine disability is rated at the minimum compensable level. The Board finds no higher evaluation is appropriate.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of her lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and another VA examination to determine her employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that a chronic back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated during service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety disorder, hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus disability, back disability with sciatica, numbness of the right lower extremity, ruptured disc, residuals of a neck injury, and left arm and shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied by the Board, with a 10 percent rating continuing in effect.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was evaluated at a 20 percent rating prior to July 23, 2010. The claim for an increased evaluation is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 40 percent for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied as his disability is already rated at its maximum under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to need for clarification from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's back condition and its relation to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine if he is entitled to increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and conducting a VA examination to determine the etiology of his left eye disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic adjustment disorder was granted, and he is currently receiving a 10 percent disability rating. The claims for service connection for low back disorder, hypertension, and squamous cell carcinoma of the left mandible were denied.