Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees, esophageal stricture, and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease were granted. The Veteran was assigned a 10 percent rating each for his knees and a 30 percent rating for his esophageal stricture and a 10 percent rating for his hiatal hernia.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine was not shown to warrant a rating higher than 20 percent prior to October 3, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 21, 2001 for the assignment of a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. The June 12, 1987 rating decision and subsequent decisions are not considered clear and unmistakable error.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of service origin or association with service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease from L3-L4 and L5-S1, with herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-L5 and L5-S1, is service-connected.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective October 17, 2007. The appeal has been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder is service-connected as it was incurred during active military service. The claim for tinnitus remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracic spine disability is service-connected, as it resulted from a back injury during active duty. However, the lumbar spine disability was not found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case back to the RO for consideration of the Veteran's lay statements of continuity of symptomatology, including his claims that he experienced back problems since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back and clavicle disabilities, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of the current evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, low back disability, and right foot disability were denied. The effective date of the grant of service connection for SLE was set at July 31, 1991.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for low back strain is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's degenerative spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine results in narrowing at L3-4 and L4-5 with spurring at L5, but does not meet criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting either claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal of the right thigh, left thigh, and low back disability claims has been dismissed due to his withdrawal at a hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disc pathology of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, and he is granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities.