Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for additional evidence.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's lumbar strain with narrowing of L5-S1, as his disability did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The VA determined that the veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain does not warrant a higher evaluation, as his range of motion is well over the threshold required for a 40 percent rating. The Board found no evidence supporting an increased disability evaluation.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to incomplete evidence and the need for a new examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain warrants a rating of 40 percent, effective as of the date of the decision.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's low back condition, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is related to his active duty service and granted the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and ensuring all necessary actions are taken.

The veteran is granted special monthly pension by reason of need for regular aid and attendance due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and conducting further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA medical examination assessing whether the veteran's low back condition was incurred during or caused by active service. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining this necessary information.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to inadequate reasons and bases in denying an extraschedular award.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a request from the Court, including providing the veteran with notifications of VCAA provisions and scheduling him for a medical examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, PTSD, hepatitis C, and left knee disorder. The decision found no evidence of these conditions in service or related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation or entitlement to TDIU.

The veteran's claims were granted, with increased disability ratings assigned. Service connection was established for migraine headaches, lumbar spine disc disease, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The RO also denied his requests for higher ratings for his service-connected left hip and left knee disabilities, as well as adjustment disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected right and left calcaneal fractures, with a 10% evaluation effective June 2003.

The VA has determined that the veteran's low back strain does not warrant a rating higher than 10% since the initial grant of service connection in July 2004.