Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, chronic depressive disorder (claimed as secondary to PTSD, headaches and right shoulder disability), initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder musculoligamentous strain and headaches, and an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine does not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months. As such, his disability rating remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating based on limitation of motion or associated objective neurologic abnormalities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities are not attributable to service, and therefore denied these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for scars, status-post skin grafts of the abdomen and right thigh was denied. His claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine (claimed as a low back condition) was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to clarify whether the Veteran's scoliosis pre-existed service and if so, whether it was aggravated by military service. The examiner is asked to consider all relevant evidence including combat exposure and multiple back injuries in service.

The Veteran's right hip disorder and left hip fracture residuals are not currently diagnosed.,No new evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, low back pain, and right wrist fracture residuals.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his spine disorders and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, right ankle disability, and numbness of the fingers. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as a compensable rating for atopic rhinosinusitis, were denied. Service connection for the claimed skin disability was also not granted.

The VA denied an increased rating for the appellant's low back disability, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is found to be related to his service-connected lumbar strain. His claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain remains unresolved.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, which he claims is related to his service-connected Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the right knee. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary as the claim must be reconsidered on a secondary basis and additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The issues include service connection for flat feet, jungle rot of the feet, bilateral knee disability, and back disability.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is proximately caused by his service-connected DM, Type II. Service connection for a low back disorder and increased evaluations for hammer toes are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar myositis is currently evaluated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that this evaluation adequately compensates for his disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied. The current rating is 20 percent, and no effective date has been assigned.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and did not address the other issues as they were not about service connection at all.