Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and for issuance of an SOC regarding his hip and knee disability claims.

The Veteran's right knee strain was granted a noncompensable rating from April 29, 2003 to December 12, 2008 and a compensable rating of 10 percent thereafter. The lumbar spine strain was granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent effective April 23, 2003.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to incomplete information from VA examinations.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is causally related to an in-service injury, and therefore grants service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to determine if the appellant's lumbar back disorder is related to an inservice injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the veteran's back disability.

The Board found that the appellant's low back disability was not incurred in active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar scoliosis with degenerative changes is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that an evaluation in excess of this rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine has been rated at 40 percent since September 2, 2008. The RO granted a higher rating based on evidence showing that his disability warranted such an increase.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and burn scars to the arms, face, and forearms were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and a rectal disorder, but denied service connection for chest pain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of new medical records.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and provide a copy of the EMG and NCS test results from the September 2010 VA examination.

The Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was found to have been aggravated by service, and he is now granted service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that his thoracolumbar spine disorder may be related to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that he did not have a period of at least 10 years prior to his death where he was rated as totally disabled. The Board also found no evidence indicating that any acquired psychiatric disorder contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of compression fracture of the lumbar spine does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture with related factors such as marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization, and therefore, a higher rating is not warranted.