Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the nature and extent of his service-connected lumbosacral strain, including whether any nonservice-connected conditions are present that may affect his employment.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability was denied. The current evaluation of 40 percent is maintained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed knee, hip, and back disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain is rated at 20 percent, but the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the appeal period.

The Veteran's myositis of the lumbar paravertebral muscles has been rated at 20 percent since March 26, 2001. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and low back disorders have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support an initial compensable evaluation for either condition from December 1, 2005 to February 22, 2010, or any subsequent rating above 10 percent for the right knee disorder, nor a rating greater than 20 percent for his low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and for additional examinations.

The Veteran's lower back and left leg disorders are not considered to be caused by the carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA medical providers during the pacemaker surgery in August 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, and hemorrhoids due to continuity of symptomatology since the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malignant melanoma was denied, but his claim for a higher disability rating for degenerative disc disease with spondylosis and stenosis was granted at a 20% rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for muscular low back pain, as secondary to GERD, is denied. The issue of an initial compensable rating for calluses of the bilateral feet remains pending. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for GERD is remanded.

The Veteran's severe pain and weakness in his lower extremities, due to service-connected disabilities, meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development due to the need for a VA orthopedic examination to determine if the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, GERD with hiatal hernia, and diabetes mellitus were granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was set at February 9, 2005.

The Veteran's Tietze's syndrome is characterized by subjective complaints of sharp, almost paralyzing chest pain occurring approximately twice a week and difficulty breathing with viral infections. The disability has been rated as noncompensably disabling under Diagnostic Code 5321.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, respiratory disorders (asthma and/or chronic bronchitis), and memory loss. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection under any theory.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA treatment records and for another VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's cause of death (urosepsis) was not service-connected, and no other disability contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for her low back disability has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.