Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease was not productive of forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least four weeks but less than six weeks during the past 12 months on or after January 22, 2010. As such, his claim for higher evaluations was denied.

The Board denied reopening the previously denied claim for service connection for a low back disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic low back disability does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent prior to July 31, 2008 and higher than 40 percent as of July 31, 2008. The current ratings are based on limitation of motion.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with bulging disc and radiculopathy due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disability in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection. The Board concluded that any current right knee, low back, or head injury disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection cannot be granted. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hallux valgus with degenerative joint disease of the left foot and lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease are also denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions manifested in service or are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's herniated disc of the lumbar spine with left side radiculopathy and left hip avascular necrosis is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for chronic back disorder, cold injury of the feet, and orthopedic disorders of the feet and ankles. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran is seeking a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders prior to October 25, 2006. The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal to the RO for additional development of his claim, including consideration of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and chronic diabetes mellitus. The case will be readjudicated after these issues are addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have lumbar radiculopathy and therefore, his claim for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral myositis was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claim for a low back disability in April 1987, and no new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a lumbar spine disability that he claims is related to his service-connected right knee disability. The case has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA audiology and orthopedic examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and back disability are related to service. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to April 13, 2004, for a 20 percent disability rating for his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain. The decision found that it was not factually ascertainable that the condition met the criteria for a 20 percent rating until after the Veteran's formal claim on April 13, 2004.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar disc discogenic disease, a compensable initial rating for scars on buttocks, and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD from August 15, 2003 to December 20, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities do not warrant an increased evaluation, as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.