Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board remands the case to schedule the veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent based on its orthopedic manifestations or under criteria in effect prior to September 26, 2003.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was granted, as new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim, and it was determined that her current low back disability is related to an injury incurred during service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and a respiratory disorder, including as due to asbestos exposure, are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a foot disability, finding no evidence of a relationship to the veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection for congenital lumbarization, 1st sacral segment, back pathology due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the orthopedic manifestations of the service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right knee disability, but denied increased ratings for other conditions.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for proper VCAA notice and to obtain additional VA medical records.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding no current disability and no evidence linking the veteran's condition to her military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip, low back, cervical spine, bilateral hand, and shoulder disabilities are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to cold exposure during his active duty service.

The Board remands the veteran's claim for a VA examination to address whether his low back disability is related to service.

The veteran's service-connected DJD and DDD of the lumbar spine is manifested by complaints of pain and no more than moderate functional impairment, accompanied by symptoms compatible with mild neurological deficit in each lower extremity. The Board finds that an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for DJD and DDD of the lumbar spine has not been met.

The Board granted service connection for chronic lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, resolving doubt in favor of the veteran.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was remanded to schedule the veteran for a VA examination to determine whether his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disorder and low back disorder with sciatica to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any current lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine as they were not related to the veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain with mechanical low back pain and degenerative changes, as the evidence did not support a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc syndrome, L5-S1 is not shown to be more severe than currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease, lumbar degenerative disc disease, bilateral shoulder disorders, bilateral arm disorders, and headaches as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active military service.