Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, fibromyalgia, and chronic sleep apnea. The claim for an earlier effective date was also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and hip disorders, as well as for migraines, photophobia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and PTSD), and a stomach disorder. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 26, 2009, and to a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter, for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for her degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied. She is currently rated at 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disability, which she attributes to an injury during her National Guard duty in 1978. The case is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for residual scar of right knee cyst and denied service connection for cyst behind the right ear. Service connection is also granted for hepatitis C, but not for low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining SSA records. The issues of an increased rating for low back strain and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the bilateral knee disorder claim, and additional development is needed for the right hip disorder claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The issues include seeking increased ratings for various knee and hand conditions, as well as seeking service connection for hip conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and extraschedular rating for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with scoliosis was granted, resulting in a 40% disability rating. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, a psychiatric disorder (to include paranoid personality disorder), and a visual disability have been denied. The claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a neurological disorder has been granted with a 10% evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for migraine headaches and bilateral postoperative gynecomastia was dismissed due to the Veteran requesting withdrawal of his appeal. The TDIU claim remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine prior to June 11, 2008 was denied. The Board found that the medical evidence did not show limitation of motion or function loss due to pain manifested by restriction of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The decision did not address the issue of service connection, as it was addressed in a separate remand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability, left ankle or knee disabilities, bilateral leg disability, or right leg limp that is related to service. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a fracture of the right proximal fibula and distal tibia with traumatic arthritis has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA clinical records and a medical examination to determine the nature of his low back disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a low back disorder, as the new evidence did not show that the pre-existing condition was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder acromioclavicular arthritis is rated at 10 percent. The claims for service connection of a prostate disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral wrist disorders are granted as new and material evidence has been received. The claim for service connection of the right elbow, low back, and left knee disorders remains pending.

The VA denied a higher evaluation for lumbosacral osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet criteria for an increased rating beyond 10 percent.