Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including consideration of personal statements submitted by the Veteran. The claims will be reconsidered and a supplemental statement of the case will be provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is a result of his service-connected Reiter's syndrome, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but his unemployability due to PTSD is supported by evidence indicating he cannot secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete evidence. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his cervical spine disability and service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, including as secondary to his cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder, including arthritis, is not related to service or due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of vertebrae L3, L4, L5, and sacroiliac joints was denied by the RO in September 2005. The effective date is March 30, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability has been manifested by myofascial strain of the thoracolumbar spine; degenerative changes of the thoracic spine (as confirmed by X-ray findings) with spurring and scoliosis; limitation of motion to include forward flexion limited to no worse than 45 degrees; pain. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip degenerative joint disease, status post total bilateral hip arthroplasty, is not related to his service-connected low back disability and remands for further examination.

The Veteran's low back disability with radiculopathy was rated at 20 percent prior to February 18, 2009 and is now rated at 40 percent from that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for degenerative disc disease L5-S1 and left hip disorder are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic skin rash during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and a bilateral leg disability were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a hysterectomy, low back disability, and right shoulder injury due to lack of competent credible evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for daily personal needs without regular assistance from others or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment, meeting the requirements for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral wrist disability, bilateral knee disability, and PTSD. The issues were not about service connection at all as the appeal was based on a citation number rather than specific conditions.