Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's degenerative arthritis and scoliosis of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines on a secondary basis to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is related to an in-service injury and grants service connection for residuals of a low back injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for both a low back disorder and an upper back disorder, finding that his current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service. The pre-existing congenital sacralization of L5 was considered to be the cause of his symptoms in service, and the injuries sustained during service did not result in any permanent disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for knee and low back disabilities, finding no current evidence of a disability or link to military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, right shoulder disability, and low back disability. The claims are now considered on their merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a back injury warrant an increased evaluation to 70 percent, as his disability is manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, moderately severe neurological impairment in the left lower extremity, and moderate neurological impairment in the right lower extremity.

The Board found that the reduction of the assigned rating for the veteran's service-connected low back disorder from 40 to 20 percent was not proper and restored the original 40 percent rating.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were granted, with a rating of 10 percent assigned for his service-connected probable post-concussion, vascular type headaches with intermittent blurry vision.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to technical issues with the hearing recording, and a new hearing will be scheduled at the RO.

The veteran seeks service connection for degenerative changes of the cervical and lumbar spine, but the VA examiner's opinion is insufficient to determine if these conditions are related to his military service. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and further review of the expanded record.

The Board denied extensions of temporary total ratings and increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, finding that the veteran did not meet the criteria for extended convalescence or higher disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice, and the appellant must be provided with proper notice as per the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic degeneration of the neck, thoracic and lumbar segments of the spine. Service connection was denied for lymphedema of the right upper extremity due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, hypertension, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. The veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the evidence does not establish that his hypertension or lumbar spine disorders are related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is characterized by moderate limitation of motion and pain during flare-ups, resulting in a disability rating of 40 percent effective from June 10, 2003.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, right ear hearing loss, and chronic dermatitis. The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disorder does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural deficiencies and incomplete medical examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 17, 2001, for a 20 percent evaluation of his service-connected lumbar strain with hypertrophic changes and scoliosis. The Board found that there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability during the year prior to January 17, 2001.