Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a cerebral vascular accident, and back disability with radiculopathy. The new evidence supports these claims by establishing that the conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine related to his military service and denied his claim. The issue of seizure disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disorder related to service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing inpatient treatment records from his period of service.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by not more than definite occupational and social impairment due to symptoms that included depressed mood, sleeplessness, and anxiety prior to June 26, 1996. The rating for PTSD has been increased to 100 percent effective in June 1996.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination regarding service connection claims.

The Board found no credible medical evidence linking the Veteran's current low back disorder to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right shoulder injury is not service-connected. However, he has been granted service connection for cervical spine sprain and degenerative changes of the cervical spine, as well as lumbar spine sprain and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. The evidence did not show ankylosis or 'pronounced' intervertebral disc syndrome, and the combined range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the amended spine and disc regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected post-operative herniated nucleus pulposus, right at LS-S1, is rated at 20 percent. A separate evaluation of 10 percent for lumbosacral neuropathy has also been granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been granted a rating of 40 percent effective June 19, 2009. The lumbar and thoracic spine disability remains in the process of being reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU rating, finding that the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to his February 15, 2005 application. The effective date is set at February 15, 2005.

The Board found no evidence of a back injury during service and the VA examiner opined that the current low back strain is not related to service. The Veteran's testimony regarding continuity of symptoms since service was considered, but did not establish a link between his current condition and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected low back disability from February 2, 1983, but not earlier.

The Veteran's low back disability was initially rated as 10 percent disabling prior to July 30, 2009. From that date, the disability has been rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing spinal canal stenosis was aggravated by service, resulting in a low back disorder. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left foot injury are not manifested by symptoms that approximate a moderate foot injury. The Board finds that the disability picture does not warrant a compensable rating for this condition.

The Veteran's combined rating for all service-connected disabilities is 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that the Veteran is currently employed as a full-time computer technician and is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.