Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar paravertebral muscle fibromyositis was shown to be manifested by severe limitation of motion prior to May 22, 2009, warranting a 40 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as providing an examination to determine the etiology of his back disorder.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a lumbar spine disability resulting from VA back surgery performed in August 2002. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and an opinion regarding causation, is necessary.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was rated at 50 percent since October 1, 2005.,For the cervical spine disability, a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted. The Veteran has forward flexion limited to 20 degrees and lateral flexion limited to 15 degrees on each side.,The lumbar spondylosis with degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent prior to August 3, 2006; a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted from that date onwards. The Veteran's range of motion has been limited due to pain on motion.,Right shoulder tendonitis was rated at 10 percent prior to November 1, 2007 and thereafter. The Veteran had right arm range of motion restricted to shoulder level due to pain on motion.,Left wrist tendonitis (residual of a left wrist injury) is service connected.,No residuals of the left foot injury are service connected.,Erectile dysfunction was service connected, but no compensable rating is warranted.,Varicocelectomy is not service connected.,Right index finger fracture and left index finger fracture were not service connected.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings have been remanded due to missed VA examinations and the need to obtain updated medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's increased rating claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar, dorsal, and cervical spines. The claim to reopen service connection for a left shoulder disability was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed lumbar spine, left shoulder, and right hand disabilities are not service-connected. The psychiatric disability is also denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back injury is related to his first period of service and whether any pre-existing pain was aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the evidence received since the February 1993 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions, including exposure to asbestos and combat stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing before the Board, and the appeal is returned to the Board once this is accomplished.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 40 percent from August 27, 2002 through March 15, 2004. The Board has now granted a 60 percent rating for this period.

The Veteran's appeal involves three issues: an initial evaluation for back strain, status post lumbar fusion, from July 20, 2005 to January 22, 2007; a higher evaluation after that date; and TDIU. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including his low back disability. The claim for a higher rating for the low back disability will also be considered.

The Board found that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine resulted from his in-service injuries and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back problems are not related to his military service, and thus service connection is denied for all claimed spinal disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are related to his active military service, including an in-service motor vehicle accident. Service connection is granted for these conditions.