Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, including whether it is related to service or a service-connected left foot disorder. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to her military service or to her service-connected neck disability, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing additional examinations to address the nature and etiology of his cervical and lumbar spine disorders, hearing loss, and major depressive disorder. The RO will also clarify the disability rating assigned to his service-connected malaria.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The cervical spine disability is also rated at 30 percent, which is also the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease, finding that the current 40 percent evaluation adequately reflects his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine stenosis and radiculopathy are causally related to service, including as secondary to his service-connected left knee condition. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's low back condition is characterized by pain and forward flexion to at least 40 degrees. The criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent are not met.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective July 9, 2005. The case for TDIU was also granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and has granted service connection based on direct evidence showing that the current condition is related to his in-service coccygeal injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is due to an injury sustained during service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lumbar spine disability during active service and concluded that the Veteran's current disorder is not related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has ordered a remand for a VA examination to determine if the appellant's current low back disability is related to service, including an injury in service. The appeal will be returned to the RO after this examination.

The Board has ordered a remand for the VA to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's current back disability is related to an in-service injury, addressing continuity of symptomatology and post-service injuries. The claim will be readjudicated after this.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back condition is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and incomplete VA examination. The case is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative joint disease with spondylolisthesis warrants a 20 percent rating based on limitation of motion. His left lower extremity radiculopathy does not warrant an increased rating as it is currently manifested by no more than mild incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's low back disorder is not shown to be related to service, and the Board finds that his current disability was not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for irritable bowel syndrome and a higher initial rating for lumbosacral strain have been granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is November 26, 1997.