Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his pension benefits were properly reduced due to estrangement from his spouse.

The Veteran's low back strain is rated at 40 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 8, 2010. Since then, the rating has been increased to 20 percent effective from February 10, 2010.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neurological disorder, secondary to herbicide exposure, or for a back condition. The evidence submitted does not establish an in-service etiology for either disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle conditions were denied by the RO.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic low back strain and a stress fracture of the left leg are being remanded due to the need for further examination to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are due to injuries sustained during his period of active service. The cervical spine disorder is not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated during active service, and is not related to a service-connected disability. As a result, the claim for service connection for a low back disorder is denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent disabling from January 20, 2006 to May 10, 2006 and at 50 percent thereafter. The effective date for the increased rating remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back condition is not due to an injury or other incident of military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder is not related to her active duty service and denied her claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development of medical records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for pes planus. Service connection is also granted for pes planus. The Veteran's back disability is secondary to his pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 30 degrees or unfavorable ankylosis, which are required for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed back disability.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a lumbar spine injury or disease during service, and the Veteran's current back condition is not etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is causally related to service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability has been adequately compensated by the current rating of 60 percent, and does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

The Veteran's current chronic back disability is not considered to have been incurred or aggravated by his military service. The Board determined that the Veteran's pre-existing congenital defect did not result in a disease or injury during his period of active duty.