Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder is a result of his military service and grants his claim for service connection.

The May 1972 rating decision assigned initial ratings for the Veteran's conditions, but did not address earlier effective dates or CUE. The Board found no CUE and denied claims for earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial noncompensable rating assigned for scar tissue of the left foot is upheld, as the evidence does not show any limitation of function or instability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability had onset in service or was caused by his active military service, including his service-connected neck disability and lipoma. The claim for genital herpes is addressed separately.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous medical examination and additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and mid-to-low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine their etiology, as well as obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left clavicle fracture with deformity was denied. The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of a back disorder, and thus service connection for the back disorder cannot be granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen her claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired mental disorder, as well as her claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for aggravation of a heart disorder. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and found that new and material evidence has been received. The case is now remanded to obtain VA treatment records, conduct an examination, and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his thoracolumbar spine disability and the etiology of his left knee arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee condition, left ear hearing loss, and left ankle condition. The lumbar stenosis and thoracic myelopathy were also considered but not granted.

The Board finds that an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 10% rating for service-connected low back disorder is not warranted based on the evidence of record prior to January 10, 2007.

The Board finds that the Veteran's reports of having had back pain since service are credible, and thus grants service connection for his current low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable for both sedentary and physical occupations, but the claim is being referred to VA's Director of Compensation and Pension for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to determine if he meets the requirements for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is etiologically linked to his period of active service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder pain and low back strain have been granted, but the initial ratings assigned are not the maximum available. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.