Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder, as the submitted evidence is cumulative and redundant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability cannot be reopened because no new and material evidence was submitted, resulting in a denial of the reopening request.

The Board finds that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and therefore, denies the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional service and medical records, including those from the Veteran's reserve service. The Veteran is also asked to provide any relevant VA or non-VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back condition is not related to his service, as there was no residual pathology from a fall during service in 1969. The examiner opined that it is more likely than not that the Veteran's present back problems are not due to any back injury he had while on active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of a service connection claim were denied. The asthma rating was found to be appropriate, as the FEV-1/FVC ratio is within the range for a 30% disability rating. The degenerative joint disease and disc condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that a chronic lumbar spine disability, to include arthritis and degenerative disc disease, was not incurred or aggravated as a result of active service nor may service connection be presumed.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck, thoracolumbar spine, and left leg disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including DDD, bulging discs, and herniated discs, is being remanded for additional development to determine if it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disease with spinal stenosis is rated at 60 percent, the highest available rating under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU under VA regulations, and there is no evidence of unemployability due to his service-connected conditions alone. The Board finds that he is capable of engaging in light and sedentary activities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with chronic lower back pain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The bilateral hip and knee disorders were found not to be incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a low back disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.,The Veteran's bilateral knee torn medial meniscus was not found to be related to VA care, as the VA examiner stated it was an incidental occurrence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to further development being required. The claim of service connection for left knee disability remains pending and will be addressed after the additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to further development being required. The claim of service connection for left knee disability remains pending and will be addressed after the additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and L5 radiculopathy are secondary to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a left ankle disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability related to service or any link between current symptoms and service. The March 2009 VA examination report concluded that the currently manifested neck condition is less than 50% likely caused by or the result of military parachute jumps during service.