Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case to the RO/AMC for initial review of new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including private medical records from August 2012 to March 2013. The claim will be reconsidered and a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) will be provided if necessary.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability due to incomplete development of the record and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, low back disability, and psychiatric disability (conversion reaction). The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require aid and attendance of another person, as his need for assistance is primarily due to his seizure disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's schizophrenia did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability. Claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back strain is being remanded to allow for additional examination and development of the record.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation for mechanical low back strain and degenerative disc disease has been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, tinnitus, right wrist degenerative joint disease, bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral hearing loss, and a right wrist scar, are considered in determining whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, was incurred during his period of active duty from May to July 2010. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and his associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are also rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and affording the Veteran a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder did not have its onset in service or within the initial post-service year, and is otherwise unrelated to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to her active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and lumbar spine disability, finding no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for disabilities of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not having had their onset during service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine were found to be productive of a functional loss due to pain that more nearly approximated a disability picture manifested by forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, but no unfavorable ankylosis was demonstrated. The criteria for a 40 percent rating were met prior to June 10, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder and lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to military service. The Veteran's current disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling.