Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine and low back disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain disability is manifested by x-ray findings of spondylosis, MRI findings of osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease at L4-5 with secondary mild neural foraminal narrowing. The Veteran has marked limitation of forward bending in the standing position (most severely to 65 degrees), loss of lateral motion, some muscle spasms, and functional impairment due to pain. As these symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

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

The Veteran's low back strain is not characterized by severe limitation of range of motion, and does not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of incapacitating episodes, forward flexion limitation, or unfavorable ankylosis warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected mechanical low back pain and for service connection for a right knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain is considered, and the Board finds that reopening of his previous claims did not result in any change to the current evaluation. The effective date remains June 7, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and the issuance of a statement of the case regarding his claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension is not compensable, and his thoracolumbar spine disorder does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a new VA spine examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar strain does not warrant a higher than 20 percent disability rating. The Veteran was denied entitlement to TDIU due to lack of meeting schedular criteria for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and stable mediastinal lymphadenopathy have not been established. The Board has also determined that the Veteran's current lung condition is not likely related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition. His claims for higher ratings for low back disability and PTSD are remanded due to the significant delay in adjudication.

The Veteran's PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted initial ratings of 50 percent each effective May 10, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for chronic lumbar syndrome, bilateral radiculopathy, and central disc protrusion was denied. The Board found that the earliest effective date assignable is May 13, 1994.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and bilateral hearing loss, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is less likely as not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a search for records related to an alleged Jeep accident in Korea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his current disabilities, including head injury, back disability, shoulder disorders, cervical spine disorder, and tinnitus, and his active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a skin disorder, psychiatric disability, and back disorder. The evidence submitted does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.