Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability has been denied. The current 30 percent rating is considered adequate to compensate for the Veteran's condition, given the presence of ankylosis and associated neurologic abnormalities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examinations and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's low back disability, rated at 60 percent under the former DC 5293 (intervertebral disc syndrome), is not entitled to a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not establish a direct link between the Veteran's low back disability and his military service, including no credible assertion of in-service injury or continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the narcolepsy and low back disorder claims due to incomplete development, including a need for an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's narcolepsy. The low back disorder claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the narcolepsy claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 20 percent since July 5, 2010. The disability is characterized by pain and stiffness but does not result in any ankylosis or severe limitation of motion.

The Board has granted an initial 40 percent rating for the service-connected degenerative lumbar disc disability from April 30, 1999 to July 28, 2003, and since December 1, 2007. Separate initial ratings of 20 percent have been assigned for right and left lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease were not incurred during service, nor are they related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to her service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were rated as follows: lumbosacral strain at 40 percent; tinnitus at 10 percent; right knee disability at 10 percent; left lower extremity radiculopathy at 10 percent, and bilateral hearing loss at noncompensable level. The Veteran was initially entitled to a TDIU rating on November 18, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on four of the six remaining issues, leaving only one issue for consideration.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral vision loss under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and lumbar spine disability were all denied by the Board.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the right lower extremity, back disability, and right knee disability are found to be related to his service-connected left ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis.

The Veteran's low back disability did not meet the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation from March 28, 2007, to January 25, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty for training and inactive duty for training, as well as to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the onset and relationship of his claimed conditions to service. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his right knee disorder and breathing disorder. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current status of his ankle, shoulder, and knee disabilities and whether they are related to service.