Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and entitlement to an increased rating for post-operative varicose veins of the left leg, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The preponderance of the competent and credible evidence shows that the Veteran's low back disability did not have its onset in active military service, did not manifest within one year of service separation, and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, particularly regarding his low back disability. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the rating issue.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to verify the appellant's service dates and determine if his conditions are related to active duty, ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not rated higher than the assigned percentages prior to April 29, 2008 and since that date.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, headaches, bilateral shoulder disorders, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's hypertension is service-connected and aggravated by PTSD. The Board grants a compensable evaluation for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a liver disorder and back disability are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are not related to his active service, and thus denied these claims. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of a VA examiner's opinion regarding service connection for back injuries.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting new examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine and cervical disc disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service event/injury/disease associated with those disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20% prior to March 11, 2009 and is now rated at 40% from March 12, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in forward flexion limited to greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, or combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; nor does it involve muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour.

The Board found against the appellant's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and back disability, concluding that there was not sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The claim will be returned for further development and an adequate examination.

The Board found no current disability of hernia, or residuals thereof, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the rate provided under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(m) has been granted, based on his need for aid and attendance due to multiple 100 percent ratings for chronic fatigue syndrome and major depressive disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claim for a back condition and determined that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his service connection claim for dental trauma.

The Board has granted the requested increased evaluations and service connection for certain disabilities based on the evidence of record.