Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address his claims of service connection for bilateral leg disabilities and a back disability. The issues include the claimed right and left legs as well as a back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to July 3, 2007 is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of extraschedular TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board finds that the Veteran is not entitled to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain due to lack of evidence showing limitation of motion or muscle spasm severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service-connected residuals of frostbite of the bilateral feet.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's respiratory and low back disabilities, finding that they were not related to his service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected low back disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating, as it did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or separately ratable neurological symptoms or incapacitating episodes.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease with headaches, is not related to his service. The VA examiner opined that the condition was more likely due to age-related changes rather than an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected low back disability warrants a rating of 40 percent from February 2, 2005, and higher ratings are not warranted for any other period.

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

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with spinal stenosis was granted an initial rating of 40 percent effective December 13, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for neck and right shoulder injuries, as well as the Veteran's claim of increased rating for his left knee disability. The decision also dismissed his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current low back condition to his active service, including two instances of treatment for back pain during service. The claim is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, sinus, left hip, right hip, and left wrist disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions were not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but no higher, due to the presence of muscle spasms and limited forward flexion during flare-ups.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at a hearing. The case is remanded to obtain additional development regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's service, and thus denied her claims for service connection for left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral hip disorder.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for lumbar spine strain with degenerative changes. The Board has also remanded to consider whether there was CUE in a March 1976 rating decision that denied service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the low back, finding that it is likely due to an injury sustained during active service. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right great toe fracture with arthritis is currently rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective June 1, 2008.,The Veteran's right great toe disorder causes him pain and limits his movement.