Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including traumatic brain injury, cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The claims will be adjudicated again after any necessary development.

The Veteran does not meet the legal criteria for basic eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to a lack of qualifying active service during a period of war.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to all issues prior to the Board's decision.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and review of the claims file.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a lumbar spine disability and squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth, with consideration given to the Veteran's credible statements regarding in-service injuries and continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent from October 13, 2007, to June 28, 2010. The rating is based on the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current back disorder is not related to his military service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not proximately caused or worsened by his service-connected prostate cancer, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has vacated the March 6, 2009 decision denying an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for mechanical low back pain with intervertebral disc syndrome. The May 2006 rating decision is considered final as it denied service connection for an upper back disorder. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for an upper back disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disorder, bilateral leg disorder, and dermatophytosis (foot fungus) as there was no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back and right thumb disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing before the Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Regional Office.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as facet arthritis at L4-L5, is service-connected. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left and right hip disorders are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder, migraine headaches, lumbar strain, and fibromyalgia are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected spinal conditions, including adjustment disorder with anxiety associated with spine disabilities, have been found to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. Effective May 6, 2008, the TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's mechanical back pain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, which meets his claim for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining whether the appellant's neck disorder, low back disorder, headaches, and nerve disorder of his upper extremities are related to service.