Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of frostbite of the hands and feet were incurred during active service, as evidenced by his reported history of cold exposure in Germany and subsequent symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's right hip degenerative joint disease and spondylolisthesis of the thoracolumbar spine are rated at 30 percent before July 2, 2010, and at 40 percent from that date. The decision grants these ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left lumbar radiculopathy (back disorder) and left hip sprain (leg condition), finding no positive nexus between these conditions and his service or to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability has been manifested by forward flexion to no less than 70 degrees and combined range of motion of 267 degrees, accounting for pain on motion and after repetition; however, there was no muscle spasm or guarding resulting in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour. The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination and consideration of SSA records.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for back, left hip, and left knee disorders that he claims are secondary to his service-connected postoperative osteochondritis dissecans of the left ankle with posttraumatic arthritis. The case has been remanded due to the need for clarification on whether a hearing before the Board is desired and for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's request to reopen a claim for service connection of lumbar intervertebral disc disease has been remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran incurred private medical expenses at the Regional Medical Center-Bayonet Point on December 17, 2009 for a nonservice-connected condition. The Board finds that payment is warranted as the emergency treatment was necessary due to the severity of symptoms and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left knee condition, and lumbosacral spine disease, are rated at 100% combined. However, the evidence does not show that these conditions alone render him unemployable.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability, which he claims was incurred during active duty. The claim has been remanded due to the need to obtain VA medical records and Social Security Administration (SSA) decision and supporting medical records.

The Veteran's non-obstructive coronary artery disease is presumed to have been incurred in active service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence supports a grant of service connection for non-obstructive coronary artery disease on a presumptive basis as a result of herbicide exposure.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for hearing loss or degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, as there was no showing of aggravation during service and the Veteran's conditions preexisted his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of low back injury is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for his back disorder will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, but the Court vacated this decision and remanded it to the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a disability involving residuals of an eye injury or a back disorder that is attributable to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back pain with degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, left ankle disability, and degenerative joint disease of both knees do not meet criteria for increased ratings under applicable rating criteria.