Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has been manifested by complaints of pain and some limitation of motion, but not productive of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for an effective date earlier than June 24, 2004, for the grant of service connection for GERD was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent since July 2, 2008. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted for any period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for service-connected onychomycosis of the bilateral feet has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted for his chronic lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a Travel Board hearing. A new hearing will be scheduled at the earliest available opportunity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling an examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to obtain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current low back disorder and bilateral knee disorder. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has requested a medical opinion and remanded the case for further review due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claim will be reconsidered in light of this new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disorder has been manifested by forward flexion and extension limited, at most, to 65 and 10 degrees respectively. The criteria for an initial rating higher than 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been rated at 20 percent since April 14, 1998. The RO denied a higher rating based on current symptoms and limitations.

The Veteran seeks service connection for right hip, left hip, low back, and right knee disorders. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of these conditions and whether they are related to his honorable period of service.

The Veteran's claim for permanent and total rating for basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative changes has been characterized by complaints of pain and some limitation of motion. The Board affirms the RO's decision to grant a 20% rating for this condition, effective September 2, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that his condition did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for his service-connected back disability was granted, with a current effective date of March 26, 2009. The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for the condition.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, all of which are being reconsidered due to new evidence. The Board has not yet determined the outcome for each condition.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50% due to their severe impact on daily activities. Service connection for a psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and nervous condition, is granted as new evidence has been submitted. Service connection for lumbar disc disease secondary to service-connected labyrinthitis is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.