Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, low back, headaches, and tinnitus disabilities are related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and left shoulder condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD. However, further development is needed due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to her service, and thus grants service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining the Veteran's SSA records and arranging for an examination to determine if his current low back disorder is related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back disability and psychiatric disability, finding that both conditions are related to his in-service injuries. The claim is now substantiated.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and examinations, including a VA examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and an evaluation of any residual from a reported heel fracture during service. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran is in receipt of compensation for disabilities as if service-connected, but no disability has been established in fact. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for basic eligibility for VA vocational rehabilitation services.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's spondylosis and wedging of the thoracolumbar spine were granted service connection, resulting in a 40 percent rating effective June 9, 2009. The claim for TDIU was also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability and left femur fracture residuals were not incurred or aggravated in service, as there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records, lack of VA treatment records, and need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to military service.

The Veteran's low back strain disability has been evaluated at a 10 percent rating since the grant of service connection. The current range of motion does not warrant an increase to any higher evaluation.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his tension headaches are not compensably disabling. The Board has granted a higher evaluation for the low back disability.

The Veteran's low back disorder was initially rated as noncompensable and later granted increased ratings of 10%, 20%, and 40% for different periods. The current rating is 40% effective from February 21, 2006.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service and denies his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine disorder did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection as his current condition is less likely related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic depression, but his other claims remain pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim.