Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, with limitation of forward flexion and pain on motion. There are no incapacitating episodes or associated neurological disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic thoracolumbar strain is rated at 10 percent, and her claim for tinnitus service connection is granted. The higher initial rating request for the thoracolumbar strain is denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is reopened and the claim is granted as her current diagnosis is attributable to injuries incurred during service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's chronic cervical strain was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, while his chronic lumbosacral strain is considered to be at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed cluster headaches did not have their onset in service or within one year thereafter and are not etiologically linked to his military service. The claim for a low back disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to decide the service connection claim for a lumbosacral strain, claimed as a low back injury. The Veteran's symptoms and treatment are related to in-service motor vehicle accidents.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and bilateral shoulder disabilities, as well as the reduction in his disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The decision also addressed a claim regarding headaches but noted that further development was needed.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the service-connected scoliosis and spondylosis of the lumbar spine, effective from the date of the decision. Separate ratings of 10 percent each have been assigned for radicular symptoms in both lower extremities.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including migraine headaches, hearing loss, arthritis of various joints, asthma, lower back degenerative disc disease and muscle pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression, allergies and rhinitis, and nerve paralysis, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical opinions and gather private treatment records, including from a chiropractor. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right foot calluses was denied. The service-connected right foot disability resulted in painful scars, but the current evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's low back strain has been rated at 40 percent since December 20, 2007. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his low back strain with left-sided disc herniation was denied. The RO increased the rating to 40 percent effective May 10, 2007.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to September 30, 2009 or from September 30, 2009 onwards.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated noncompensably disabling, and his low back pain with herniation, disc bulge, and degenerative changes at the L3-L4 and L5-S1 levels is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder was incurred during active service.

The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his lumbosacral spine disability, currently rated at 50 percent. The case has been remanded due to issues related to the Veteran's employment and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability or bilateral hand tremors that are due to an event, injury, or illness in service. The evidence also does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that a low back disorder is related to the Veteran's active military service and grants service connection for this condition.