Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a rash on the hands have been granted.,A higher disability evaluation for PTSD is also pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbar radiculopathy, including a request for a videoconference hearing that was not conducted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, hallux valgus, and lower back disorders are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence indicates these conditions were not manifest in service or within one year of separation.

The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between the Veteran's current low back disability and his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran's current low back disorder is found to be related to his active duty service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent effective January 26, 2012. Prior to this date, the disability had been rated at 10 percent.

The evidence is in equipoise, meaning about evenly balanced, for and against the claim that the Veteran's back disorder was incurred during his military service. The Board has granted the claim based on this finding of equipoise.

The Veteran's low back condition is rated as 20 percent disabling, right and left foot hallux valgus are both rated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and assessing his employment status.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for initial ratings and service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, low back disorder, depression/anxiety/nerve problems, chest disorder, neck disorder, and mouth disorder. The RO denied some of these claims but granted others. The case is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current low back disability or muscle spasms to his service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's combined rating of 70 percent for service-connected disabilities from June 1, 2004 to March 10, 2005 and 90 percent thereafter meets the threshold requirements for a TDIU. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, syncope, and residuals of a right arm fracture were denied. The claim for shin splints (bilateral) is pending due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is not related to service and is not caused by or permanently worsened by his VA-compensated thoracolumbar disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids warrant a noncompensable evaluation prior to August 13, 2012 and a 10 percent evaluation from that date forward.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to her service, and thus denied her claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's back disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have residuals of a head injury, and his bilateral hip and low back disabilities are not linked to service. The claims were denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding no competent medical evidence of current diagnoses or a link to military service.