Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent effective September 6, 2011. The rating is based on the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of a lower extremity, and therefore he does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and new evidence is needed for a determination on service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and attempting to obtain SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain is being remanded for an additional VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities are not related to service, arthritis did not manifest within one year of service, and they were not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and right knee disorders did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, concluding that there was no in-service injury or disease related to his current condition. The PTSD claim was also denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic low back disorder in service or at any time thereafter. The claims for initial compensable ratings for right and left shin splints were also denied due to the lack of range of motion findings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, a back disability, skin disorder, hernia condition, desmoid tumor condition, rectal cancer with proctoctolectomy, and left arm/shoulder disorder. The decision is based on the presumption of exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a compression fracture and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as secondary to his spinal condition), are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA examinations and attempting to obtain his up-to-date VA and private treatment records.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and whether it was aggravated by service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder with associated neurological abnormalities affecting the lower extremities and for a right foot disability. The Veteran's claims are granted, and she is assigned an initial 10% rating for her service-connected HTN.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hip and ankle disabilities as well as VA treatment records for all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of shrapnel wounds to the neck, back, right shoulder and arm, as well as a low back disorder, are denied.,Service connection was granted for residual scars due to shrapnel wounds. However, service connection for a low back disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining relevant medical records and an opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to chest pain, and the back disability was rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder. However, further development is required as VA needs to provide an examination and consider whether there are any new or material pieces of evidence that could support the reopening of this claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder, finding that his current degenerative arthritis and disc disease are related to multiple traumatic injuries sustained during active duty service.