Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck, back, and sleep apnea disabilities are related to his active duty service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining missing service treatment records and determining if the Veteran meets eligibility requirements for dental treatment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for upper back and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for a back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities did not arise during service or are not related to any in-service injury, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the appellant's lower back disability was caused by or resulted from his active military service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for assignment of a schedular TDIU rating, and his employment is not unemployable due to these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable rating criteria, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim for service connection. The psychiatric disorder issue, including PTSD based on personal assault/military sexual trauma (PA/MST), somatoform disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and depression, is addressed separately.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that it is directly related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for clarification on whether Bertolotti's syndrome is a congenital 'disease' or 'defect'. The Veteran needs another VA examination to determine if his current low back disability, including dextroscoliosis, is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine DJD was not found to warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to December 10, 2007.

The Veteran's degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent from December 8, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing, as the Veteran's claim was not properly addressed due to an oversight. The issue remains about service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of lumbar disc disease and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on unfavorable ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome, but continued to assign the current 40% disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including macules on the tongue, chronic bronchitis, asthma, chronic sinusitis, a heart disability, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndromes, bilateral pes planus, and psychiatric disabilities. The decision found no current disabilities or evidence of in-service incurrence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and PTSD do not warrant a higher initial rating, with service connection established on a direct basis for both conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left elbow, right elbow, and lumbar spine from April 29, 2010.