Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his back disability and joint condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a herniated disk, claimed as chronic low back pain; residuals of an appendectomy; and residuals of rheumatic fever. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and circulatory problem of the right foot as secondary to his service-connected right great toe disability. The evidence submitted since the previous denial does not provide new or material evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with foraminal and mild canal stenosis at L5-S1 and right S1 radiculopathy, is proximately related to or the result of his service-connected residuals of a right ankle sprain. As such, service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the current diagnoses of the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders and whether they are related to service. The low back disorder issue is inextricably intertwined with the bilateral flat feet issue, so it must also be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing to address whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, SSA records, and a VA examination. The issues of service connection for residuals of a neck and head injury with pain and headaches, respiratory disability, liver disorder, and PTSD are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to complex medical and factual issues, including inconsistencies in reports of onset and circumstances for various back injuries over many years. The Veteran's claim is being reviewed again with additional development required.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining complete Army National Guard records.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disability during service or within one year post-service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain employment. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing juvenile epiphysitis was not aggravated by his period of active duty, and thus service connection is granted for lumbar levoscoliosis as a result of this condition. The other lumbar spine conditions are presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease, thoracic spine with spondylarthritis and stenosis. A VA examination is needed to determine if any current back conditions are related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a right shoulder injury, but denied service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is presumed to be due to an in-service injury, while his low back disorder is not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of T-9 is currently rated at 20 percent, effective July 31, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board found that the October 1952 rating decision contained clear and unmistakable error in failing to assign a 10% disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, based on evidence showing characteristic pain on motion. The effective date is set at August 22, 1952.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and prostate cancer, did not render him unemployable prior to May 1, 1997. The effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits is set at May 1, 1997.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the June 2009 rating decision. He also received separate ratings for right and left sciatic nerve impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for TMJ due to new evidence and a need for clarification on whether his symptoms are related to service or a congenital defect. The lumbar spine disability claim was previously granted.