Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is service-connected, and he was granted a higher initial rating for his ulcerative colitis. The effective date of the grant of service connection for ulcerative colitis remains unchanged at May 3, 2002.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and psychiatric disabilities were denied. The lower back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, while the psychiatric disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional service treatment records and medical information from his employers.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease has been rated at the highest available evaluation of 60 percent, which is more than the requested initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and right knee disorder are all found to be secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The back disorder is not considered service connected.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease have been evaluated at a 10 percent rating since the grant of service connection. The Board finds that the current evaluation adequately compensates for his symptoms, as there is no evidence of additional functional loss or limitation due to pain.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the other issues for further development. The claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic sinus condition are being remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, as well as obtaining relevant Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his chronic low back disorder and chronic groin disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar strain and radiculopathy, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not attributable to service or his service-connected paralysis of the right femoral and sciatic nerve, and therefore denied the claim for service connection. The PTSD claim will be remanded as it involves a recently-amended regulation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his low back strain with degenerative disc disease and levo-convex scoliosis is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional records.

The Veteran's appeal involves the initial rating for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with stenosis, and a claim for TDIU. The Board has remanded the case to obtain updated VA treatment records and arrange for orthopedic and neurological examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, including lumbar facet arthropathy, was incurred in service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 20 percent for chronic low back strain and lumbar spondylosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records from March 2010 to the present and private medical records from any identified providers.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations. The issues include increased evaluations for lumbar strain and migraine headaches, as well as an earlier effective date for a 30 percent disability rating for migraines.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was primarily characterized by flexion ranging from 50 to 90 degrees, with no evidence of favorable ankylosis. The criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and back disability were denied, while his claim to reopen a previously denied asthma claim was granted.