Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective the date of his increased disability rating claim. Separate ratings for incomplete paralysis of the left and right upper radicular groups are also granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disorder. The appeals were based on his contention that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg disability, left leg disability, and low back disability. The RO previously granted service connection for chondromalacia patella of the knees but did not assign a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The back disability was rated at 40 percent, and the left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability results in pain and spasm, but it does not result in flexion to fewer than 85 degrees, combined range of motion totaling fewer than 235 degrees, guarding, abnormal spinal contour or gait, or neurological deficit. The Board finds that a rating of 10 percent is warranted for the entire appellate period based on the Veteran's history of recurrent back spasms.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied, and the claim for service connection for malaria was also denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of incapacitating episodes or additional functional loss due to pain. The Veteran's current symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral foot condition, low back condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that pes planus was not aggravated by active service, arthritis did not have onset during service or within one year after separation, and there is no current evidence of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found no chronic low back symptoms in service and no continuous symptoms after service separation, thus denying the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disease of the lumbar spine was not incurred in or aggravated by service and could not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar disc disease, sciatica of the right lower extremity, and sciatica of the left lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The RO granted service connection and initial noncompensable ratings for right knee chondromalacia, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and lumbar degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination and the provision of additional treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical examinations in prior decisions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized by degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's current chronic spinal sprain is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and L5-S1, finding that his current back disability was not caused or aggravated by events during military service.

The Board denied service connection for right hip and low back disorders, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The rating for his right knee disability was granted at a 20% level.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability. The Board finds that further development, including medical examination and compliance with VCAA requirements, is necessary before the issue can be decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred in service. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis developed over time, unrelated to his period of active duty.