Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his low back disability and a prior effective date for a skin disability. The low back disability was evaluated as 20 percent disabling, but the claim for an earlier effective date for tinea versicolor was not addressed.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The veteran's claims for service connection are also being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have rhabdomyolysis and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed headaches and low back disability are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection and secondary service connection to obtain additional records, provide due process, and readjudicate the cases.

The Board is requesting additional development to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar and cervical spine, including reviewing MRI studies from Nellis Air Force Base. The case will be remanded for further examination and consideration.

The VA has already granted service connection and awarded a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's low back disability, effective May 28, 1999. The current issue is whether the veteran should receive an increased rating to higher than 20 percent.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with previous orders to ensure that VA examinations comply with the requirements set forth in those orders. The appellant's claim of service connection for a back disability is being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and for DEA under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. Chapter 35 due to new evidence requiring further development, including obtaining a VA opinion on whether the veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to his suicide.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical and low back disorders are likely due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident during service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has restored the veteran's original 40 percent disability rating for low back strain, finding that there was not sufficient evidence to support a reduction of his rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing at the RO, and the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's low back condition, manifested by a lumbar spondylolisthesis, was aggravated by her service in the National Guard and thus grants service connection for this disability.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension did not originate during service and was not related to his active duty. The lumbar spine disorder is also denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after discharge.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development of information, including obtaining chiropractic treatment records and a VA examination to determine if the veteran currently has pes planus. If pes planus is found, the examiner should also provide an opinion on whether it was aggravated by service.