Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, right ankle disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and hypertension. The evidence received since the August 2000 rating decision is new and material with respect to these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a neck disability, finding that there is no current disability related to these conditions. The Veteran did not have any treatment for these disabilities in service or after separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting reports and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The VA examiner found that his range of motion was limited to 45 degrees in flexion and 20 degrees in extension, with no incapacitating episodes within the past year.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted with a rating of 40 percent, hypertension and right knee patellofemoral syndrome were each granted with a rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected low back disability is granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective February 10, 2004. The claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the January 2003 rating decision contained clear and unmistakable error in denying service connection for interstitial lung disease. The September 1994 rating decision did not contain CUE, as it correctly applied the applicable statutory and regulatory provisions at the time. Service connection for low back disorder is granted based on direct evidence of a link to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbosacral degenerative disc disease have been granted. The hypertension is rated at zero percent; the right lower extremity radiculopathy at ten percent before August 20, 2007 and twenty percent after that date; and the lumbosacral degenerative disc disease at twenty percent effective July 6, 2009.

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

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no evidence of penile deformity. The Veteran is currently in receipt of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder and granted it. The claim of service connection for PTSD was also granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and chronic neck strain conditions have not met the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's incapacitating episodes of his degenerative joint disease, thoracic and lumbosacral spine. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum that addresses the current severity of the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain prior to June 23, 2009 was denied. For the period beginning June 23, 2009, a rating in excess of 40 percent is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability was denied, and the TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a schedular rating in excess of 40 percent for the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disorders due to lack of evidence showing a causal link between these conditions and his active service.