Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further development of the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not incurred during or as a result of his active service.

The Veteran's low back disability is manifested by localized pain on the right side of the low back, forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine between zero and 45 percent, muscle tenderness, and antalgic gait. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met at any point during the pendency of this claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's current back disability is related to his in-service injury. The Veteran will be provided with another supplemental statement of the case after any further action.

The Board denied service connection for ankylosing spondylitis of the hips and a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain with traumatic arthritis of the low spine, finding no clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is a result of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination of his lumbar spine. The issues on appeal are whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for left hip disorder service connection and entitlement to an increased rating for DJD of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability and any associated lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability or hypertension that is related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for supracondylar fracture, right knee; fracture, left clavicle; and fracture, right ulna were denied due to failure to report for VA examinations. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of several conditions, including a low back disability and lung disease, are being remanded due to the need for further development. The VA is requested to obtain deck logs from his ship during service and clinical records from an April 1964 hospitalization at Okinawa Naval Hospital.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to evaluate his cervical spine disability. The claim for TDIU will also be considered.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, right hip disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and lower back disability, are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's low back disability and GERD were granted service connection, with the low back disability receiving a 40% initial rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his current conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the period from June 10, 2005 through August 6, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, which is secondary to his service-connected disability, will be reconsidered.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back disability, including degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine, is not shown to have been manifested in service and is not otherwise attributable to active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his low back disability.