Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a spine examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for chronic residuals of a motor vehicle accident affecting the Veteran's spine, shoulders, arms, and entire body as there were no chronic residuals at the time of separation from service.

The Board has referred the issue of entitlement to a TDIU to the RO for adjudication. The Veteran's claim is currently in remand status due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed thoracic or lumbosacral spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, and left hand disorder are not related to service. The claims were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of the disabilities.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected chondromalacia patella, left knee. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder and right knee disability secondary to the service-connected condition is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate etiology opinions and failure to address specific information in the remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability, skin rash, and lumbar spine disability due to incomplete consideration of all pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence does not show that his condition meets or more nearly approximates the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and information about her employment status.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain was denied, with the RO granting an increased rating to 20 percent effective June 10, 2009.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his service-connected lumbosacral strain was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

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

The Board has granted service connection for spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a condition of the lumbar spine, claimed as a result of lumbar facet joint injections received at a VAMC on July 22, 2005 is rendered moot and dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disability and skin disability, including whether they are related to service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and whether it is related to service. The case is therefore being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability due to incomplete VA treatment records, lack of examination opinions addressing all relevant evidence, and need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether her service-connected disabilities render her unable to work.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.