Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not resulted in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months. Therefore, his claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's low back disability, finding that it is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability as secondary to a service-connected left ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's back condition was aggravated by his left ankle disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD, degenerative arthritis of the right thumb, and arthritis of the lumbar spine are all related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and the earlier effective date for PTSD, but granted an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records related to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is also requested to provide information about any relevant private medical providers.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability did not have its onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is addressed separately.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of pes cavus and service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's pes cavus did not meet criteria for a higher rating, but his symptoms more nearly approximated a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his low back strain with parathesias, degenerative disc disease and bilateral radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a neurological examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current ankle and back disorders are related to his service-connected bilateral knee disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal dysomotility and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is incurred in service, while his cervical spine disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was rated at 10 percent effective June 3, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his low back disability was denied, and the issue of entitlement to a TDIU was also denied. The current rating of 40 percent for L4-5 degenerative disc disease remains unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, retropatellar pain syndrome of the right and left knees are being remanded for further evaluation as they continue to worsen.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for his service-connected low back strain with spondylosis and TDIU are also on appeal.

The Veteran's cervical spine disc disease and back disability are found to have begun during his period of active duty, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted an increased rating to 40 percent effective August 8, 2008. He also received separate evaluations for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as a scar associated with back surgery.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a lumbosacral strain and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the reopening of the claim. The effective date remains moot as the grant of service connection is not warranted.