Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for both the low back disability and the residuals of a circumcision.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic musculoligamentous low back sprain (to include groin pain) was granted a disability rating of 20 percent effective September 29, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, claimed as a chronic low back strain with mild degenerative changes, was not related to his active service. The residuals of a fractured nose and tension headaches were also not shown to be related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with disc space narrowing at L5-S1 was incurred during service and is related to his in-service low back injury.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected neurogenic bladder disability has been assigned an initial compensable rating from August 1, 2006 through June 20, 2010. The Veteran's current condition warrants a staged rating of 60 percent effective June 21, 2010.

The Veteran's low back disability has not been manifested by unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician, or neurological impairment relating to bowel or bladder. Therefore, his claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for a low back disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete development of records from private healthcare providers and VA clinics. The Veteran is advised to provide authorization for these records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disorder, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain, and a compensable rating for left meralgia paresthetica.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent disabling effective August 4, 2011. The left and right lower extremity neurological disabilities are each rated at 10 percent disabling.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current low back disability and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and clarifying the examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, low back, and left wrist disorders are related to his military service. The evidence shows that he experienced pain in these areas since his time on active duty.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was withdrawn. For migraines, a rating of 50 percent is granted effective January 26, 2012. For major depressive disorder associated with lumbar spine strain, a rating of 50 percent is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current back disorder, including whether it is related to service. The Veteran's claim will be returned for this purpose.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome has not resulted in any incapacitating episodes or ankylosis, and thus did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to concerns about the sufficiency of the October 2009 VA examination and the need for a new examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.