Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 10, 2009. A separate rating of 10 percent for right upper extremity radiculitis associated with the cervical spine disability was granted.

The Veteran's low back strain is currently rated at 10 percent prior to September 30, 2011 and has been increased to 20 percent from that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology and severity of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional development being required, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and a medical opinion regarding his left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability and associated right sciatica, respectively.

The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current lumbosacral spine disability, diagnosed as acquired spinal stenosis, degenerative arthritis with radiculopathy/neuropathy, and degenerative disc disease, is causally related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues with representation and notification. The claims for service connection are on the merits, but need further development.

The Veteran's service-connected irritable bowel syndrome is rated at 10 percent prior to August 26, 2008 and at 30 percent from that date. The lumbar spine degenerative joint disease is rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee and low back disorders are not linked to his service or service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to clarify the nature and etiology of her right foot, right knee, and back disorders.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent effective March 28, 2013. The Board denied the claim for a higher rating.

The Veteran's discogenic disease of the lumbar spine resulted in symptoms such as pain, muscle spasms, and limited range of motion. The RO found that a rating higher than 20 percent was not warranted prior to February 16, 2006; a rating of 40 percent from February 16, 2006 to March 9, 2006; and no higher than 40 percent after March 9, 2006. Effective July 6, 2012, the Veteran was granted a separate rating for left leg neurologic complications.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right thigh, Muscle Group XIII and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the lower extremities, secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The remaining issues are REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating, while his radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was rated appropriately prior to March 19, 2003.

The case is being remanded due to a hearing issue. The Veteran's issues regarding service connection for low back disorder and increased rating for right knee disorder are still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his active service and does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to arthritis developing within one year of separation. The VA examiner concluded that the current degenerative changes in the Veteran's lumbar spine are more likely age-related than service-connected.

The Veteran is entitled to a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, but not for a home adaptation grant as he is already eligible for the former.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service events that would support her claims.