Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disorder, which he claims is related to injuries sustained during his military service. The case is being remanded for further development of the evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his low back disability, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal at the Board hearing.

The Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis and right L4 radiculopathy are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that they do not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine her ability to work due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was granted service connection, and he is currently receiving a 10 percent rating. Separate ratings of 10 percent were also granted for his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy effective October 31, 2008.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent prior to August 16, 2008 and at 40 percent from that date. The renal cyst disability remains non-compensable.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are consistent with his fear of hostile military activity and supported by credible supporting evidence. The other claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disability remain pending.

The Veteran's low back strain has not been manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less, or ankylosis. Therefore, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with wedging of T11-L1 is currently rated at 40 percent disabling, effective December 20, 2006. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, is being remanded for further development and an opinion on its etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal cancer and accrued benefits due to lack of evidence linking his death to service or any presumptive conditions. The appellant did not provide sufficient evidence to establish exposure to white phosphorus, which was a key factor in her claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that could be linked to his condition. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for spondylolysis and depression is pending as additional medical examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, claimed as low back strain, is being remanded due to inadequate examination and consideration of lay evidence.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected chronic low back strain, currently evaluated at 40 percent. The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for higher initial disability ratings and service connection claims. The issues of PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left leg radiculopathy, right knee degenerative joint disease, tinea corpora, premature ejaculation disorder (secondary to PTSD), and dyspepsia (secondary to PTSD) were all denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, right ankle disability, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for panic disorder and dysthymic disorder was denied as the VA medical care providers did not act with negligence or carelessness in providing treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder, psychiatric disorder (including depression and intermittent explosive disorder), right shoulder disorder (including right subscapularis myalgia), memory loss, fatigue, headaches, numbness of the hands and arms, upper gastrointestinal disorders, lower gastrointestinal disorders, hair loss, and unexplained chronic multi-system illness. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded to the RO.