Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

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

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis and a TDIU, as the medical evidence indicated that the condition was manifested by pain and moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The claims for service connection for residuals of degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine and lumbar spine are denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected low back strain with disc bulge.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected degenerative disc disease and service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the ankles, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an examination and medical opinion regarding his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected low back disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and employment-related records.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of revised rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of applicable rating criteria.

The Board found insufficient evidence to establish service connection for head injuries, cervical spine, or lumbar spine disabilities. The veteran's complaints were not chronic and no current disability was shown.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis with an old compression fracture and demonstrable deformity of L-1, head injury (including headaches and vertigo), and tinnitus have been granted initial ratings. The lumbar condition is rated at 20 percent since April 21, 2003, while the head injury and tinnitus remain at 10 percent.

The VA determined that the veteran's low back disability, characterized by intermittent pain and normal limitation of motion, does not warrant a higher rating as it does not result in functional loss consistent with or comparable to moderate limitation of motion of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, hypertension, a low back disorder, a left wrist disorder, and a bilateral hip disorder. The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions in service or current disabilities related to military service.

The May 1990 rating decision granted a 20% evaluation for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative narrowing, L5-S1. The veteran argues that this decision was clearly and unmistakably erroneous as his symptoms more closely approximated a 40% evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an earlier effective date for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development under the provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected, and his lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Board has remanded the issue of total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The veteran's PTSD and chronic lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease have been granted increased evaluations to their maximum assignable ratings.