Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an adequate opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service and denied the claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disorder is likely due to a pre-existing condition, and not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining worker's compensation records and clarifying the reasons for his disability retirement. A comprehensive VA examination with an occupational specialist/psychologist will be conducted to assess the Veteran's employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for spondylosis of the cervical spine and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran is seeking a higher initial rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) to Muscle Group XIII, and assigned an initial 30 percent evaluation. The Veteran's right knee, left hip, and low back disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected SFW.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and right hip disabilities were not incurred in service or due to any service-connected disability, thus denying both claims.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine and left leg sciatica was denied, while his claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids was granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to decide the claims for asbestosis, skin condition, back disability, and diabetes mellitus. Additional information regarding exposure during service is needed.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to have been incurred during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left shoulder, and back conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development including confirmation of National Guard service dates and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a depressive disorder with panic attacks and anxiety, residuals of left thumb and hand injury, and low back injury. The appellant's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence linking the current disabilities to his National Guard service.

The Veteran's low back disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and seeking medical opinions to determine the etiology of his current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, left knee radiculopathy, and left knee laxity have been granted higher initial ratings. The rating for the back disability is at its maximum of 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was denied as his condition did not require regulation of activities to treat it. The Board found that the evidence did not show any additional separately compensable complications of diabetes.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's low back disability with radiculopathy was granted an increased rating of 40 percent effective December 12, 2011.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was granted a separate rating of 20 percent effective December 12, 2011.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to an injury he sustained during active service, and grants service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and found that the right shoulder disorder is related to military service. The claim for Hepatitis B was not substantiated.