Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for the cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, as new and material evidence was received since the last final denial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and neck disabilities are not related to service, and have denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his headaches, rendered him unemployable and he is granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain his SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as to attempt to locate any private chiropractor records. The case will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's chronic low back pain, not attributable to a known clinical diagnosis, is considered due to an undiagnosed illness and manifested during service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability due to outstanding records and additional development being required.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran's current low back disability is found to be related to active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for degenerative disc disease and joint disease (DDD, DJD), lumbosacral spine.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service, including an in-service motor vehicle accident. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected back disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board found the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine conditions did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 2012, as his range of motion was within functional limits.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder and low back disorder were rated at 20 percent prior to April 4, 2012. Since then, the rating has been increased to 40 percent for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations to address the claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, and right ankle disability. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of hernia, ulnar neuropathy, and osteomyelitis. The Board also dismissed the claim to reopen service connection for low back disability due to withdrawal.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's eligibility for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for additional examination and opinion.

The Board vacated the January 5, 2012 decision due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a hearing and remanded the issues of CUE in the 1986 rating decision and service connection for cervical spine disability. The case is now being returned to the Board for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back and leg numbness and additional circulatory disorders are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The Board concluded that these disabilities were not incurred in service.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative spondylosis with IVDS effective February 1, 2013. The Veteran's condition was not rated higher due to the absence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for low back disability and skin cancer.