Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's case is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Board hearing. The RO will contact the Veteran and give him the option of attending a Board hearing at either the St. Petersburg RO or an alternative location.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip degenerative joint disease is not related to service, and his lumbar spine condition was not caused by or aggravated by his right hip condition. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Veteran seeks an increased disability rating for his service-connected low back strain, which is currently rated at 20 percent. The case has been remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and conduct a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee, diffuse arthritis of the bilateral feet, and diffuse ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine with sclerosis of both sacroiliac joints.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for his claimed conditions are denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between any current disability and service.

The Veteran's left hand condition, which includes amputations of multiple fingers and degenerative joint disease, warrants a 60 percent evaluation under the VA rating schedule. The claim for service connection for other conditions remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hip and lumbar spine disabilities did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to his military service, leading to a denial of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain/thoracic spine disability and his TDIU claim due to inadequate notice provided by VA. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his PTSD and low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to active duty service and granted. The Veteran's sore throat (manifested by) is presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides, specifically Agent Orange. Service connection for lumbosacral strain is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. The current 40 percent disabling rating remains in effect.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased rating for hemorrhoids, service connection for mental disability (generalized anxiety disorder), sexual dysfunction, right ankle and shoulder disabilities, and reopening of previously denied claims for bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative changes, L5-S1, is currently rated at 40 percent effective November 26, 2009.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining Army Reserve medical records and providing VCAA notice that complies with Kent v. Nicholson.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 26, 2001, for the grant of service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine associated with a service-connected left foot injury is granted.