Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's character of discharge from Marine Corps Reserve service was under dishonorable conditions, resulting in a bar to VA benefits for the period ending on or about January 10, 1996. The claim for service connection for thoracolumbar DDD with left lower extremity radiculopathy and symptoms of right lower extremity radiation without sensory-neuro deficits was denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new medical evidence showing a back disorder, and a supplemental opinion is needed to determine if it is related to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and his claims for service connection for TBI and suspected glaucoma were denied. The claim for higher evaluation of the lumbar spine disability was not granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is related to his service-connected right knee disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her service-connected back and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection claims, SMC claim, and other issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection of a low back disability and found that new and material evidence has been received. The cervical spine issue is pending as it requires further development.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar disc disease is currently rated at 60 percent from February 1, 2007, forward.

The Veteran's death was not due to service-connected causes, and the appellant seeks DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318. The Board finds that the Veteran did not meet the durational requirements for a total disability rating at the time of his death.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left hip disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back and neck disabilities did not manifest during service or within the one-year presumptive period after separation, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and lumbosacral spine disability are not related to active service, including as due to ionizing radiation or herbicide exposure. The Veteran was denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatica, as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, was denied. The remaining issues are pending.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic lumbosacral strain in service and the current condition does not appear to be related to service, resulting in denial of the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for hypertension is addressed separately.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for higher ratings for sciatic radiculopathy and vertebral fracture, L1 with multilevel degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The appeals are mixed as some issues have been granted while others remain unresolved.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain since July 11, 2011. The Veteran was previously rated at 10 percent prior to this date and is now entitled to an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine disabilities, including spondylosis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), and arthritis, are service-connected as they were incurred during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in April 1963 to October 1963.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist degenerative joint disease and left great toe hallux valgus with degenerative joint disease have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent each, effective September 1, 2008. The Veteran's other claims remain unresolved.