Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease prior to July 3, 2010 was denied. For the period beginning July 3, 2010, a rating of 10 percent was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate records and need for further development of facts pertinent to the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical examinations to determine if he has a current low back disability related to service and/or frostbite residuals of the feet. The claims will be reconsidered in light of this new evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back disability. The Veteran's previous claims were denied due to lack of credible evidence supporting his current claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on whether there is a link between service and current lumbar DDD.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain clarification of a March 2010 VA examination report and to ensure that any additional relevant records are obtained. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine arthritis will be evaluated again.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if a back disorder is related to service, particularly as secondary to a service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded this case for further development and consideration, including scheduling the Veteran for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 40%, which does not meet the criteria for TDIU even when considering their common etiology.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine and right hip disorders are not related to his service-connected residuals of bilateral hammertoe surgery, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification of opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability, including whether it is related to service or aggravated by his bilateral foot disability.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology and onset date of the appellant's claimed low back disorders, including spondylosis of the lumbar spine; sacroiliitis; grade 1 anterolisthesis of L4 most likely degenerative in nature; osteophytes diffusely throughout the lumbar region with mild disc space narrowing at L4-L5; and sclerosis of the sacroiliac joints. The appellant's service connection claim will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to an incomplete record from his treatment at Tripler Army Medical Center. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, characterized by pain in the thoracolumbar spine with lower dorsal kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, was incurred during service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and obtain outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining private treatment records and providing VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations.