Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for his low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development through a VA examination.

The Veteran's back disability does not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment of a sedentary nature.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding a claimed inservice motor vehicle accident at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, which may be relevant to establishing service connection for a back disorder.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected dorsolumbar strain. The case was remanded to obtain a new VA examination and to assist the Appellant in obtaining private orthopedic and chiropractic records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted, and he is also granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome with radiculopathy as secondary to his service-connected condition. The effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is set at October 23, 1995.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, effective January 22, 2004. Service connection for torn muscles at the L4-5 vertebrae was denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not cause or aggravate his diagnosed low back disorder, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine has been characterized by pain and limited forward flexion to 10 degrees, but does not meet criteria for an increased rating beyond 40 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and diabetes mellitus type II, to include as due to herbicide exposure. The denial is based on the lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back strain is related to service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected low back disability on his employability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sickle cell anemia, ulcers, cold injury residuals of the feet, bilateral leg injuries, back disability, and loss of teeth. The decision found that no new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim for sickle cell anemia, and that there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the other conditions.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for specially adapted housing and financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or adaptive equipment due to a lack of evidence showing loss of use of lower extremities, blindness in both eyes, or anatomical loss of use of hands.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disorder and degenerative disc disease with herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbosacral spine did not have their onset during service or are related to any incident in service, including lifting heavy objects. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and her left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine if there are any other conditions related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not secondary to his service-connected knee and hip disabilities, nor was it permanently aggravated by active military service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, including scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and degenerative disc disease. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for her service-connected thoracolumbar spine and right shoulder arthritis due to additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a new VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, back pain secondary to PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The claim for left knee disorder was previously denied. The Veteran's increased rating claims have also been denied.