Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected chronic low back pain, which was previously rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of frostbite and a back disability, finding that she does not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a chronic cervical spine disability and a chronic low back disability, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for the veteran's low back disability, finding that his condition does not meet criteria warranting a higher evaluation.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder disorder and low back strain, as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's claim for an increased rating as he failed to provide necessary private medical records and did not demonstrate good cause for his failure.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of hemorrhoids. The case is being remanded to the AOJ for further development regarding the low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for spine injury and lumbar disc disease. The RO is instructed to seek additional medical opinions from a qualified physician.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, chronic snoring, gastric reflux disorder, and right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, warranting service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease warrants a 20 percent evaluation, effective from June 1, 1998.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed back condition, bilateral nephrolithiasis, and depressive disorder were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the veteran's back condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his fibromyalgia, cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, left ankle disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is found to be directly related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine remains at 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service injury and his current condition. The VA examiner concluded that it was less likely than not that the veteran's current low back disability is related to his service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain was denied as the evidence did not show more than moderate intervertebral disc syndrome or severe lumbosacral strain prior to September 23, 2002. The current range of motion findings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for DJD and DDD of the lumbar spine, finding it related to an in-service truck accident.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal ulcer disease and a disorder of the lumbar spine (previously diagnosed as right sciatic neuropathy). The other issues were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to clarify diagnoses and provide nexus opinions regarding any residuals from an in-service auto accident.