Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disorders are causally related to his service, including an in-service motor vehicle accident. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that service connection for a bilateral hip disability is granted, and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability, but did not reach a decision on whether the Veteran's current condition was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing correspondence and requests for an extension of time. The Veteran and his attorney have 60 days to respond with additional arguments.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim for service connection for a back disorder can be decided.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The issue of entitlement to service connection for left and right lower extremity disability, to include as secondary to low back disability, is remanded for further development.

The Board granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected back disability, effective from September 11, 2009. The rating was based on forward flexion limited to 30 degrees and other criteria under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering a possible extra-schedular rating. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased disability rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease with spondylolisthesis is being reconsidered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that it was decided on the merits and not reopened due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities are not rated higher than 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively.,The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is not rated higher than 10 percent.,Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied, as his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a schedular rating in excess of 20 percent. His bilateral hearing loss claim was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since December 28, 2010. The claim for an increased rating prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issue regarding entitlement to separate compensable ratings for other nondermatological manifestations of mastocytosis, claimed as heart and back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation between October 9, 1996 and April 9, 2001.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred in service and is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left foot disability. The claim for increased rating of the left foot disability was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are less than 60% combined and he is capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.