Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, myositis was found to be manifested by pain and stiffness in the lumbar area. The evaluation assigned is denied as it does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent. For his status post left index and middle finger fracture, a compensable evaluation is also denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating prior to July 23, 2009, and a rating in excess of 10 percent since then for cervical spine DDD was granted. The current rating is 10 percent.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine was found to be manifested by pain with flexion to 90 degrees and a combined range of motion of 240 degrees without abnormal gait, spinal contour, or vertebral body fracture. The rating assigned is 10 percent before November 24, 2008.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current low back disability to his service, including a motorcycle accident in 1982. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between his current hearing loss and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease. The Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not considered to be related to his active service, and there was no evidence of chronic disability within one year post-service discharge.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's left shoulder impingement and low back pain with degenerative disc disease have been granted initial evaluations of 20 percent each.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete compliance with prior instructions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and increased evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, but remanded to obtain additional medical records and address representation issues.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 25, 1993 for the grant of a 40 percent rating for low back strain.

The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity as of October 13, 2009, also warrants a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is manifested by flexion to between 30 and 60 degrees, and combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees. There is no abnormal gait or spinal contour, and no evidence of incapacitating episodes. The criteria for a higher evaluation are not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his period of service, and thus grants service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and granted it, finding new and material evidence to support the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to perform activities of daily living without the aid and attendance of another, nor are they so nearly helpless as to require regular aid and attendance on a regular basis. The Board finds that he is not in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and affording the Veteran a VA examination to address his claims of service connection for low back disorder and bilateral knee disorders.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and an examination to determine if a back disability is related to service or service-connected conditions.