Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability has not been manifested by unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine, and therefore, he is not entitled to a rating in excess of 60 percent.

The Veteran's neck and back disorders are found to be the result of an injury sustained during his military service in Vietnam, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral pes planus. The case will be remanded to the RO for additional evidentiary development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records from the Veteran's Reserve service and providing a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis with mild degenerative arthritic changes of the lumbar spine, is etiologically related to documented in-service low back symptomatology and service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral heel fractures and related residuals are service-connected, but his back condition, leg disability, numbness of right lower extremity, hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a low back disability, finding that the earliest possible effective date is October 28, 2002, the date of filing of his most recent application to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess her lumbosacral spine disability, as well as obtaining any relevant medical records.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative changes of the thoracic spine, finding that the Veteran did not receive notice of prior denials and thus could not establish entitlement to an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for additional medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's claims for left hip, right hip, and back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, as he is currently employed as a substitute teacher and his disabilities limit his ability to perform manual labor.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records, requiring further development including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be sufficient to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder, finding that his current low back disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination. The claim will be returned for further development, including scheduling a new examination and obtaining additional records.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his low back and left knee disabilities, as well as his PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of those currently assigned.

The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic low back disorder in service or within one year after separation, and the VA examiner opined that the current low back disorder is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need to adjudicate his claim for a TDIU based on all of his service-connected disabilities. The initial disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine remains in dispute.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining employment, and the RO has referred his claim for extraschedular TDIU consideration. The case is being remanded to determine if referral to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service is warranted.