Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for lumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for spondylosis and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, but denied service connection for residuals of a left clavicle muscle strain (Hill-Sachs deformity of the left shoulder with rotator cuff tear).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not causally related to his active duty service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has found that the element of service incurrence for back and bilateral foot injuries has been met, thus granting the claims for service connection.

The Board is remanding the case for further development of medical evidence, including a VA examination to determine if the appellant has a low back disorder and whether any such disorder existed prior to service or was aggravated by service. The examiner will also assess whether the appellant's spina bifida or its residuals were present before service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred or aggravated by active service, and is not secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, a low back disability, and a right shoulder disability. The conditions were not diagnosed in service or related to service.

The Board finds that chronic low back strain and compression fracture had their onset in service, and the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease is not related to his active duty. Service connection for residuals of a low back injury is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral myositis was initially rated at 30 percent from July 19, 2004 to August 12, 2009. The RO used the criteria for lumbosacral strain under Diagnostic Code 5237.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, a back disability, and glaucoma have been denied as there is no credible evidence to support the assertions that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's depression is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and granted service connection for this condition. The rating for the lumbar spine disability was increased to 60 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various disabilities and to reopen a claim for his bilateral eye disorder have been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran is permanently and totally disabled for VA pension purposes based on his SSI disability determination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's back disability, manifested by compression fractures at T12, T11, and T10, was incurred in service due to a fall during combat. The compression fractures are related to the back injury sustained in service.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for a low back disorder and granted service connection. The Veteran's low back disorder is found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran requested a withdrawal of the appeals for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome and for depression during his September 2012 videoconference Board hearing. As a result, those claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria established in 38 C.F.R. § 3.352(a).

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records, arrange for the Veteran to undergo a VA spine examination, and ensure all due process requirements are met.