Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder. However, the claim is still denied as there is no competent medical evidence providing the required nexus between military service and a current back condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the September 2011 VA examiner regarding whether his diagnosed back disorders are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected low back strain.

The Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated based on their functional limitations, with the most recent rating decision increasing the ratings to 20 percent effective September 14, 2011.,Prior to September 14, 2011, the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were rated at 10 percent. As of September 14, 2011, they have been rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities are rated at 20 percent each, but his bilateral heel spurs, knee disorder, hip disorder, and low back disorder are found to be secondary to these service-connected ankle disabilities. The claims for higher initial ratings for the ankle disabilities remain denied.

The Veteran's low back disability, including the compression fracture of L1 and lumbosacral strain, was not found to warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to June 11, 2009, or in excess of 40 percent from that date.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 20 percent since October 15, 2007. The Board found that the current range of motion and symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The VA Board found that the appellant's low back disability, characterized by pain and limited range of motion but not ankylosis or favorable ankylosis, does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The case is being remanded to ensure compliance with the Board's previous remands, including scheduling examinations and obtaining clarifying opinions on the Veteran's employability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis, chronic neurologic disability, or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during any 12-month period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for left eye, low back, bilateral foot, and left knee disorders. The Veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his previously denied service connection claims.

The Veteran's low back disability was initially rated at 10 percent from November 8, 2008 to March 13, 2012 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The current rating of 20 percent is maintained.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to service, and thus denied his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral tendonitis of the wrists and hands, plantar calcaneal spur of the left foot (secondary to lumbar spine disability), increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, DDD of the lumbar spine, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his back disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's low back pain has resulted in reduced range of motion, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. His osteoarthritis of the first metacarpal joint on the right hand has manifested as an enlarged thumb with subjective complaints of pain and numbness, but without limitation of thumb motion or objective evidence of reduced hand strength.

The Veteran's prostate disorder is not service connected as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Board finds that further examination and opinion are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his kidney stones, bilateral knee, neck, and low back disabilities.

The Veteran is granted service connection for onychomycosis of the right middle fingernail, which was incurred in active service.,Service connection is also granted for chronic lumbar strain with early degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and sciatica of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's anxiety disorder claim remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his service and denied both his claim for service connection and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.