Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

Service connection for right and left knee disabilities has been granted.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability has also been granted.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and right hip, finding that these conditions are not related to his military service.,The Board also found that the appellant's current disabilities are not secondary to or aggravated by any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his low back and neck disabilities are service-connected. The Board found the appropriate ratings for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, with the effective date set at May 11, 2006. The earlier effective date claim was also granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability of low back, bilateral knee, hypertension or bronchitis as claimed. The evidence does not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently experiences low back strain, which is service-connected. However, there is no evidence linking his bilateral knee disorder to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically his residuals of bilateral femoral artery bypass.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for traumatic arthritis of the tailbone and low back has been withdrawn, resulting in dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and Reserve service records. The VA will determine if the Veteran's current back disability, gynecological disorder, or psychiatric disorder are related to her active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a 60 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5237 or any other applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to an initial compensable rating for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for the lower back disability and higher initial ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease with Barrett's esophagus status post nissen fundoplication, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic strain of the lumbar spine is manifested by forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, warranting a rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities were granted a disability rating of 10 percent, effective as of the date of claim for increase. The appeal was not about service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of SSA records. The Veteran's low back disorder is being evaluated to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any current lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claim for squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth will also be readjudicated with consideration of all submitted evidence.

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

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 2, 2007 and upgraded to 20 percent effective from that date. The right knee disabilities were also rated at 10 percent prior to April 2, 2007 and upgraded to 20 percent effective from that date. The left hip disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since the initial rating period.