Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected thoracolumbosacral strain and cervical spine strain due to failure to comply with a previous remand directive.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, concluding that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral radiculopathy was denied, and the assignment of an effective date prior to December 16, 2003 for TDIU was also denied. The case is pending further review by the Compensation Director.

The Veteran's headaches disability is rated at 30 percent effective from September 10, 2010.

The Veteran's low back disability was evaluated at various ratings from May 2004 to March 2009. The claim for higher ratings is granted since March 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA Vocational Rehabilitation file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the service-connected left sciatic neuritis from July 23, 2009 to October 22, 2011. The Veteran's symptoms have been characterized by radiating pain and weakness in his left leg.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a rib disorder was denied in November 2007. His request to reopen the claim and his subsequent grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were both effective as of January 7, 2009.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for reopening the claims of service connection for a back disorder and right knee disorder, to include as secondary to peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the July 2008 VA examination is inadequate and requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current lumbar spine and bilateral foot disabilities are etiologically related to his active service. The appeal will be remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran is granted a 20 percent rating for each knee disability, with limitations in motion and instability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and bilateral hip disability should be remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining medical records and attempting to obtain all available service treatment records.

The Board has determined that further development is needed, including obtaining Army Reserve service records and VA treatment records. A new VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred in service and arthritis did not become manifest within one year of service separation. The Board concluded that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing due to his inability to appear at the scheduled August 2012 travel board hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and a groin disorder, finding that both conditions originated during active service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, alleging in-service trauma. The case is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current spinal conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lumbar disorder, but additional medical examination is needed to clarify the etiology of any current low back disability. The issue of an increased rating for residuals of a herniated nucleus pulposus at T7-8 with neuralgia remains inextricably intertwined with the newly raised issue of service connection for ankylosing spondylitis of the lower thoracic spine.