Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to destruction of service medical records and the Veteran's reports of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to consider relevant medical records and the Veteran's statements regarding his back pain prior to 2002. Additional VA and private treatment records are needed, as well as an examination of the Veteran's low back.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is more likely due to aging and overuse, rather than service-connected knee conditions. The condition was not aggravated by his in-service knee problems.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of hypertension, but did not address the other issues.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for instability of the Veteran's right knee, effective July 2005.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, shaving bumps, a skin condition manifested by a rash on the foot, and a stomach condition, status post colon surgery.

The Board finds that there is competent and probative medical evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability and service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability with bilateral polyneuropathy has been rated at 60 percent since July 6, 1999. The rating is maintained as the evidence does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation under other applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for DDD of the lumbar spine prior to February 4, 2009 was denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation based on limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes. For the period since February 4, 2009, the Veteran's claim for GERD service connection was remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, to include lumbosacral strain, finding that no new and material evidence had been received since the July 1970 denial.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition and finds that he is entitled to this benefit due to his current disability being related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records from his service period to the present, as well as a VA orthopedic examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's application was initially denied in July 2005, but reopened due to the submission of additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for a back disorder, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are supported by medical evidence, but there is also significant probative evidence against their etiology being related to his military service.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain service medical records and personnel records for the Veteran's service prior to April 1992. The claims are being remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports.