Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the RO.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for recurrent low back strain and remanded his case for further development. His claim is now to be evaluated de novo.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disability, characterized by degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and left sacroiliac joint strain, warrants a rating of 10 percent under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The current rating is appropriate given the Veteran's range of motion and symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, arthritis, and degenerative disc disease as the Veteran's current disability was not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability was found to warrant a 20 percent rating prior to September 4, 2007. A separate 10 percent evaluation for right lower extremity nerve damage due to the service-connected low back condition was granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination and a determination of whether his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has restored service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and reinstated entitlement to a TDIU, as both were improperly severed or terminated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with arthritic changes, which he claims is related to his military service. The VA examiner found no evidence of a continuity of treatment and questioned the Veteran's reported history of chronic pain since service. The Board finds this inadequate and remands the case for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for lumbar and abdominal muscle insufficiency disability, finding that it became manifest during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's upper back disability is not due to, the result of, or aggravated by her service-connected left leg disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear service dates and need for additional medical records. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current DDD of the lumbar spine, DJD of the right knee, and DJD of the left knee are related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus of the left foot, and GERD were granted with a 20 percent rating effective from January 16, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disorder and increased his rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current cervical spine and thoracic spine conditions are likely due to injuries sustained during his active service, granting service connection for these disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability, including whether it is related to service or developed within one year of her discharge from service in October 1998, and whether it was caused by or aggravated beyond its natural progression by her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent due to her combined range of motion being at least 120 degrees, even with consideration of pain on use.