Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no neurological impairment associated with the right wrist fracture residuals and no compensable bowel impairment associated with the service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, entitlement to increased evaluations for costochondritis and gastritis. The Board found no evidence of a current low back disability or chronic gastritis prior to July 22, 2011, and concluded that any current disabilities were not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder had its onset during his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for aid and attendance, which is sufficient to meet the criteria for SMC at the O rate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee and back disabilities were not incurred during service or due to a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his thoracolumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain service treatment records and VA treatment records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for examinations. The claims will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and lumbosacral spine disorder were not incurred or aggravated during active duty service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for extra-schedular consideration. The case will be referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's low back and bilateral foot disabilities are being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA outpatient records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if they are related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's DDD and DJD of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The case will be readjudicated following this development.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar strain with anterior wedging at T12, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's low back disorder is rated at the maximum allowable disability rating for limitation of motion. The left 3rd finger fracture has been rated at the maximum allowable disability rating for ankylosis or limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine DDD is related to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident during service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his military service or any incident therein.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The appeal is not yet decided.

The Board has granted the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, including low back disability and associated cervical spondylitis, constipation, and short-term memory loss.

The Board has determined that the current back disorder is not related to service and cannot be presumed due to exposure, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for basal cell carcinoma, finding it etiologically linked to sun exposure during military service. Service connection was also granted for a low back disability, with the opinion that it is at least as likely as not related to service due to heavy lifting in service.