Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file, including obtaining VA treatment records and personnel records. The Veteran may have sustained an in-service injury that could be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that an evaluation in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the appellant's lumbar spine disability, including whether it was incurred in or aggravated by service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, and there is no medical opinion linking the current condition to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently 40 percent, effective from February 2, 2006. The Board finds no error in the calculation and denies the claim for a higher combined rating.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle tendonitis is rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The claim for a higher initial rating has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip and low back disorders are not service-connected as they are not causally or etiologically related to his active service, or a finding that these conditions are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right or left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service records and missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability is being considered.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disability related to active service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the retirement of the VLJ who conducted his hearing. He has requested a new hearing before a different VLJ.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Penner and clarifying whether the Veteran wants a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, right wrist fracture, and left hip scar were denied increased ratings. The Veteran did not seek service connection for bronchial asthma.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee pain and low back pain, both claimed as joint or muscle pain respectively, were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The claim for neurologic signs and symptoms was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The claims for service connection of residuals of a coccyx injury and low back disorder were denied as they did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of control of bodily function, diabetes mellitus, and myofacial cervical and lumbar spine syndrome. The decision found that there was no direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 20, 2003 for the total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.