Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability, when considered with the effects of his service-connected right knee, does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches, cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, and degenerative joint disease of the knees are granted. The Veteran is awarded a 10 percent rating for lumbar strain with degenerative changes from April 18, 2006 to January 4, 2008, and an increased evaluation to 40 percent thereafter. He also receives a non-compensable rating for his scar of the anterior neck and burn scar of the right hand. The Veteran's scrotal varices disability is rated as non-compensable, while his degenerative joint disease of the left knee and right knee are each rated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to new evidence received by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disability, tendonitis of the left ankle, osteoarthritis of the right hip, and low back disorder have been denied as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there is no credible evidence of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology and noting that arthritis was not manifest within one year of separation.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of a back disorder being related to service, and thus denied her claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected chronic lumbar strain and determine whether he is unable to secure or maintain gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected low back pain with degenerative changes is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability had its onset in service and is etiologically related to his active service, while his back disability did not have an onset in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims due to his death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for spondylolysis with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to September 1, 2005 and to an evaluation in excess of 40 percent from September 1, 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran's spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 26, 2003.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis for the claimed thoracic-lumbar spine disability and concluded that there is not a preponderance of evidence against service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board is remanding the case due to the need for further development, including reconciling diagnoses of mental disorders and considering additional evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The claims for service connection for back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, headache disorder, left shoulder disorder, and left knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's low back disability, including thoracolumbar disc disease with residuals of compression fracture of T12, is found to be related to service and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic prostate disorder were denied as there is no competent medical evidence of a current disability related to service.