Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened. The claim for service connection for a stomach disorder remains denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of a cerebral hemorrhage, low back disorder and fractured pelvis. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and private treatment records. A VA examination is also needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed back, neck, shoulder, and headache disabilities, as well as an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty and inactive duty training, as well as potential SSA records that may be relevant. The VA will obtain these records and schedule a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the low back disorder.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and associated left-sided nerve involvement have been rated at 10 percent since July 2008. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s range of motion exceeded the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The case will be reviewed to determine if service connection can be granted for his right knee disorder and lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected DJD L4-L5 vertebrae with lumbar strain was granted, but the reduction from 60 percent to 20 percent was found to be improper due to CUE. The case is remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and residuals fracture of T6-7 with deformity was denied as he failed to appear at a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, lumbosacral spine strain, and right knee disorders. However, these claims are still in dispute as new evidence submitted by the Veteran does not conclusively establish that his current conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his range of motion and symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a right inguinal hernia and a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder. The issue is now remanded for further development, including obtaining in-service treatment records and providing an examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back disability. The Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition with a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. Service connection claims for low back pain, neck injury with residual headaches, and head trauma with residual headaches are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the relationship between his claimed right knee and back disorders and service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for the claimed bilateral knee, bilateral foot, or low back conditions. The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosed disabilities related to these conditions during his military service. Post-service examination and medical records also fail to establish such diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his records and possible VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the legal criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability as his combined percentage of disability does not reach 70% or more, and he is still employed.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disorder, thus denying the Veteran's request.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, determined to be a direct service connection without any presumption or other special theory.