Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine disc bulge and posttraumatic degenerative changes to bilateral tibiotalar and talonavicular joint with traumatic joint disease of the sacroiliac joints are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for her service-connected left hip bursitis and service connection for a low back disability, finding that her low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and was not secondary to her service-connected left hip bursitis.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbosacral strain does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent, as his range of motion was within normal limits and he did not have any severe impairment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back strain, urethral discharge, residuals of a left lower leg injury, residuals of a left hip injury, and residuals of bilateral thumb injuries due to lack of current diagnoses of chronic disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disorder, including curvature of the spine. The evidence received since the last denial did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim and does not show that the cause of the veteran's back disorder was related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disorder, diagnosed as herniated discs at T7-T8, L3-L4, and L5-S1, and traumatic arthritis of the lower lumbar spine, is related to a motorcycle accident he sustained during active service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for psychiatric and hip disabilities, but denied all other issues due to lack of evidence showing an in-service origin or a nexus to service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for service connection were both granted by the Board. The case was remanded multiple times, but ultimately the veteran received a 20% disability rating for his lumbar spine decompressive laminectomy with May 16, 1990 as the effective date.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a stomach disability remains denied.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 30 percent, and his combined rating for service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining additional evidence and providing proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's low back disability, characterized by lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, is currently rated at 40 percent. The rating has been granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an orthopedic and neurological examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further examination regarding service connection for low back strain with degenerative joint disease. The veteran's left ankle disorder and sinusitis are currently rated at 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a right knee condition, but denied them on their merits. The claim for hepatitis was not reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic degenerative disc disease with spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine effective March 22, 1994. The veteran's claim was initially denied in May 1990 and affirmed by the Board in November 1991. Service connection was granted based on new evidence submitted after a final denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left ankle disability has aggravated his pre-existing low back disorder, and thus grants secondary service connection for the low back disorder.

The VA determined that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back, right knee, and left knee, status post total knee arthroplasty. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.