Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, as it precludes him from performing the physical demands of his former profession as a plumber/pipe fitter.

The Board has restored the previously assigned ratings for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and cervical spine paravertebral myositis, finding that the reductions were improper due to a lack of evidence showing improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for chronic low back strain from 40 percent to 20 percent, effective December 1, 2008 was not proper and restored the original 40 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability or a back disability that is causally related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence, and continuity of symptomatology is not shown.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disorder, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 17, 2008 and for a rating in excess of 20 percent from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and neck disabilities are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability or due to an in-service motorcycle accident. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death from pneumonia and heart disease. The claim for DIC benefits is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and right shoulder disability are not related to service.,Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and right shoulder disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to his active service, and therefore, denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, and myositis. The Veteran's back disorder is found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the case needs to be remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability and thoracolumbar spine disability, which are claimed as secondary to service-connected right wrist and shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and lumbar spine degenerative disc disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right inguinal hernia are rated as noncompensable. For the period on appeal, his bilateral hearing loss is considered incurred in or as a result of active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for Legg Perthes disease and a lumbosacral disability, secondary to Legg Perthes. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability and remanded it to the RO/AMC for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from the Columbia VAMC.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened both claims and found that new and material evidence supports the reopening of these claims. The claim for service connection for a back disability is granted, as there is at least equipoise in favor of the appellant's contention that his current back disorder may be related to his period of service. The claim for service connection for the residuals of bilateral knee injury is also granted, with the examiner finding that there is a 50% or better probability that these conditions are etiologically related to his period of service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and VA medical records.