Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right shoulder disabilities were not incurred in service or within one year of separation, as there is no evidence of chronic conditions during service or for many years thereafter.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of a back, neck, or bilateral leg disability and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's back and knee conditions are currently rated based on their specific service-connected disabilities, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verification of his periods of federalized National Guard service and an examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any ankle, knee, and back disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disorder during service and concluded that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease is not related to his military service.,VA determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right forearm gunshot wound did not worsen beyond its natural progression during active duty, and thus denied service connection for residuals of the injury.

The Veteran's residuals of a gunshot wound to the lumbar spine between L3 and L4 are currently rated at 20 percent, effective June 10, 2013. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate as it reflects severe impairment of Muscle Group XVI.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for depression and determined that new and material evidence has been received. The claims for service connection for right ankle disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to service-connected disabilities are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of his request to reopen a claim for service connection for reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the bilateral upper extremities. The Veteran is currently receiving appropriate disability compensation for his PTSD, dysthymia, left shoulder disability, low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a low back disability as he does not have a current diagnosed condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting back disorder did not undergo an increase in severity during active duty service and denied his claim for service connection for aggravation of a preexisting back disorder. The case is remanded to determine the current level of PTSD severity and whether bilateral hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and TMJ dysfunction. The case will be remanded to obtain relevant medical records, schedule VA examinations, and consider the claims based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded to allow for a new VA examination and the addition of any outstanding treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and right and left leg disabilities. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for a back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition. The other issues of service connection are addressed as well.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbosacral sprain is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent effective April 24, 2007. The issue of TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records and verifying the Veteran's claimed stressor. The appeal will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.