Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his service-connected chronic low back strain with degenerative changes was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's low back disability was not shown to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 9, 2006. From that date, the disability is rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability has not been found to warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, and the claim for a separate evaluation of left leg radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal on the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder and service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other manifestations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have evidence linking his current low back disorder to service, and thus denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, and bilateral tinnitus has been granted service connection. Service connection for erectile dysfunction and a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) have also been established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his claimed back and bilateral knee disorders. The claims of service connection for PTSD, left lower extremity disorder, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for right upper extremity parasthesias are also pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a sacroiliac injury with spondylarthrosis, lumbar vertebrae is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of all available records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues are about increased evaluation for osteoarthritis of the right knee and service connection for a low back disorder, which may be secondary to the right knee condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for low back strain is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board denied service connection for DDD of the cervical spine on a direct or presumptive basis, finding no objective evidence of an in-service injury and no credible assertions of continuity of symptoms. The Veteran's lay statements were not considered sufficient to establish a nexus between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar/thoracic scoliosis with chronic low back pain, herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-S1, was granted a 20 percent rating effective February 7, 2008. The claim for increased rating of hypothyroidism is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence shows these conditions were first manifested many years after service.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development needed, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar at the interdigital web space between the thumb and index finger of the left hand, as well as residual hypothenar atrophy. Service connection was denied for a low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further consideration, including an evaluation of whether the issue warrants extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 40 percent since the July 2004 rating decision. Since November 5, 2009, he has also been granted separate 10 percent ratings for right and left-sided mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.