Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining his complete service treatment and personnel records.

The Veteran's combined disability rating was 70 percent since October 1996, meeting the criteria for an additional allowance of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1311(a)(2).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbosacral strain, finding no new and material evidence to support reopening the claim. The decision is final as it was issued in January 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination. The issues are whether he should receive an increased rating for his low back disability and if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 10 percent since the beginning of her appeal, and she has been granted a compensable rating for seasonal allergic rhinitis. The initial disability ratings for recurrent atopic dermatitis prior to December 16, 2013, remain unchanged.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, bilateral hip condition, bruised tailbone, and sciatic nerve disease as there is no currently diagnosed disability manifested by these conditions. The preponderance of evidence does not establish a link between any current disabilities and active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear at a scheduled Travel Board hearing and for the need to schedule another hearing. The claims of service connection for PTSD, depression, and low back disorder as well as the claim for special monthly compensation are still pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin condition, flatfeet, back problems, hearing loss, and frequent urination. The decision found that pre-existing bilateral flatfeet were not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for a new examination due to the lack of recent VA examination and possible worsening symptoms.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a diagnosed chronic low back or right knee disability during service, and the medical evidence does not establish a current diagnosis. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to her active duty service, but VA has determined that they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and incomplete medical records, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's low back condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination to determine if his service-connected back and right knee braces tend to wear or tear his clothing, which could affect his eligibility for an annual clothing allowance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine are etiologically related to his in-service parachute injury, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle and low back disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is etiologically related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, and the Board grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent since April 23, 2007. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period of time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left wrist fracture disabilities are service-connected. The skin disorder of the hands is not currently service-connected.