Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's right shoulder strain and low back strain are not considered to be related to her service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness from her Gulf War service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as his conditions are not found to be related to his service-connected gunshot wound residuals.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected lumbar strain effective November 1, 2008. The Veteran's facial scars were rated as 10 percent disabling prior to July 26, 2011 and higher than 30 percent thereafter. Angle recession glaucoma of the left eye was rated at 30 percent before March 1, 2005, with a subsequent reduction due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was withdrawn. The Board also found that no chronic respiratory disability was incurred in service and is not related to the Veteran's current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, lumbar spine disorder, right and left knee disorders, cervical spine disorder, post-phlebitic syndrome (right and left lower extremities), skin disorder, and sleep apnea, all presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure. The decision did not assign a rating or provide an effective date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO increased the rating for the service-connected osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine to 40 percent effective on September 8, 2008 and for residuals of a fracture of the left fibula to 30 percent effective on July 20, 2010. The Veteran's claims remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, other than PTSD, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right shoulder disorder is not related to his period of service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed shoulder, elbow, back, and seizure disorders.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and found that the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for various knee and wrist disabilities were not well-grounded as there was no diagnosed chronic condition. The Veteran's assertions regarding his current symptoms did not meet the threshold to establish service connection.

Effective August 15, 2007, the Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent disabling due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The rating for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's low back disorder did not manifest any unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician, thus the claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his chronic low back pain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and leave records from his employer.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's substantive appeal was not timely filed, and the Board is dismissing the appeal due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability evaluation for the service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood was granted, and he is now rated at 50 percent from August 25, 2010. Other claims were either denied or are pending.

The Veteran's initial ratings for lumbar spine and right hip degenerative joint diseases have been granted, but the claims are denied as his conditions do not warrant higher evaluations.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a low back or left shoulder disability attributable to service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less, and there are no incapacitating episodes. Therefore, his claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar strain is denied.