Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's lower back and hemorrhoid disorders are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, including his cervical and thoracolumbar spine issues. The decision finds that it is at least as likely as not that these conditions are related to events during service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and TDIU was denied. The effective date for the increased rating to 60% for his low back disability is set at November 13, 1998.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his active duty service. The Veteran was exposed to stressors during basic training, which led to PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is related to service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and left knee tendonitis were evaluated, but the assigned ratings did not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any time.

The Board found that the Veteran's service treatment records did not show any complaints or diagnosis of a back condition during his active duty. The claim was denied as there is no medical evidence to support a nexus between the current back disorder and his military service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with left sciatica and limitation of motion was granted a disability rating of 20 percent from September 1, 1993 to December 21, 1994. From December 22, 1994 to May 13, 1998, the Veteran's condition warranted a higher rating but not as high as requested. Beginning May 14, 1998, the disability was rated at 40 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder was incurred in service and is related to his military service, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with discectomy was rated at 10 percent before August 14, 2008 and at 20 percent from August 14, 2008.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is currently rated as 10 percent prior to September 1, 2009 and 20 percent since then. The Board has determined that she does not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any time during this period.

The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disability and whether it is related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder and low back disorder are not related to service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's gallbladder disease resulting in a cholecystectomy is service-connected. The initial rating for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and lumbar degenerative joint disease remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of those related to hearing loss and arthritis pain. The Veteran was also awarded initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for certain conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative joint disease warrant a 10 percent evaluation, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee, right hip, and low back disabilities are found to be related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service and have denied all of his service connection claims.