Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's current upper, middle and lower back disabilities are found to be related to injuries sustained during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have left lower extremity radiculopathy or a left leg length discrepancy, or pelvic tilt. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral corset likely caused wear and tear to her clothing, which is sufficient for the award of an annual clothing allowance.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and examination. The Veteran's bilateral knee disability and low back disability claims are currently under review.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was reduced from a 40 percent rating to a 20 percent rating effective September 1, 2009. The reduction was proper as the evidence showed both objective improvement and an increase in the Veteran's ability to function at work and home.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for Buerger's disease, a back disability, and a dental disorder. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for Buerger's disease, and that there is no current diagnosis or link between any of these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Biloxi Vet Center and providing a VA examination to assess the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities. The appeal is not yet decided.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and for service connection for degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, the highest available under the old criteria. His gout is also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his claim for TDIU. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for review of additional evidence and a new VA examination. The TDIU claim has also been inferred as part of the increased evaluation claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back degenerative changes are related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis, DDD, and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine are related to his in-service back injury and disorders. The claim for residuals of a right foot injury is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's attorney was awarded a fee of $3,943.95 for services related to her service connection claims. The Board found that the award was in accordance with proper procedure and ordered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and cervical spine disabilities were denied. The Board found that the current conditions are not related to service.,Regarding a psychiatric disability, the Veteran contends it began in service based on a psychiatric consultation report from September 1975.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a TBI, low back disability, and neck disability. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for CTS, breast reduction surgery, or a low back disability due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or a link to service. The Board also found no new and material evidence to reopen her claim for cervical dysplasia.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the service-connected lumbar spondylosis and mechanical back pain of the lumbar spine from April 1, 2006 to April 26, 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of such disorders being related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder, right ankle, left knee, left hip, mid-back, and bilateral thumb conditions are related to his service due to combat injuries. The appeal is granted.