Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability or arthritis that is related to service, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issues of increased evaluations for PTSD, right knee and lumbar spine disabilities. The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and thoracolumbar spine disorders due to a lack of current disability evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and right hip disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the previous denials. The Board finds that these conditions are related to an in-service injury during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for transfer of the claims file to an appropriate RO in California and scheduling a Video Conference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an orthopedic examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to unclear nature of his lumbar spine disability, incomplete Reserve service records, and need for further examination regarding left arm and knee conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation of his lumbar spine arthritis, as well as reopening of previously denied claims. The appeal is also remanded to obtain SSA records and conduct additional examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed disability related to her low back and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for left hip disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized by limited range of motion and occasional incapacitating episodes, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than the current 20 percent assigned under Diagnostic Code 5243.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including benign prostatic hypertrophy, depressive disorder, a lumbar spine disability, polyarthralgias, left and right shoulder disabilities, stomach disability, and skin cancer. The remaining issues on appeal will require additional development of medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an incomplete VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient development and need for an additional medical opinion. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include a low back disability and a right foot fracture, but his prior employment as a police officer suggests he may be able to engage in sedentary work.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral foot disorder. The decision also addressed a chronic right leg disorder but did not specify its basis.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to February 22, 2007.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease has been rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board finds that the Veteran did not experience an additional disability caused by VA care, resulting in left foot drop after undergoing left knee replacement surgery. The claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability and arthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a chronic disease during service. The most competent evidence preponderates against a finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and right knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, notification regarding secondary theories of entitlement, and obtaining relevant medical records.