Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and addressing a request for a hearing. The issues of service connection for kidney cancer, back disability, neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant did not meet the durational requirement for a total disability rating in existence during his lifetime under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's service connection claim for low back pain is granted as the evidence shows a diagnosis of degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, which can be established by continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The Board has dismissed the issue of whether new and material evidence was received to reopen a claim for service connection for a left ankle disability due to withdrawal by the Veteran. Service connection for a low back disability remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal involves two issues: one regarding a back disability and the other to reopen her claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for stroke, paralysis of the left side of the body, and blurred vision (previously claimed as neurological problems). The case is being remanded due to incomplete records from the San Diego VA Medical Center.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, hearing loss disability, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not warrant a higher rating than the currently assigned 20 percent for functional impairment of the lumbar spine. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder did not have its onset in service and is not causally related to service. The right knee disability was also found to be adequately rated.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure to obtain relevant Federal payroll records.

The Veteran's service-connected chondromalacia patella of the left knee status post medial meniscectomy is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5259. The RO has also granted temporary total disability ratings for surgical treatment and assigned a 10 percent rating effective September 1, 2007. For the period prior to October 9, 2012, the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndromes are rated at 10 percent each. Since October 9, 2012, her right and left carpal tunnel syndromes have been rated at 30 and 20 percent, respectively. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis has also been rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back condition is not related to her service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with representation and development, and the appeal is now pending again.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that it is related to the Veteran's in-service injury and aggravation of his pre-existing left foot disability.

The Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service, as there was no chronic condition shown during service and no evidence of continuity of symptomatology post-service. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have a pre-existing condition in sound condition upon entry into service.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have not met the criteria for higher initial ratings prior to December 18, 2011 or from that date forward.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disorders are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and moderate canal stenosis at L4-L5, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is caused or worsened by his service-connected hip and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disability and a lumbar spine disability have been reopened. Further development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of these disabilities, as well as their current severity.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disability. The case is being remanded to obtain clarification of the Veteran's active duty dates, verify STRs from July 2009 period, and schedule a VA spine examination.