Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional VA records and information from providers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, left hip, and low back disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during the pendency of her claims.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher initial rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted for any period.

The Board found no evidence of a back injury or disease in service, and the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease is unrelated to his military service. The same was true for his right knee disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, and scar of the left forehead render him unemployable prior to March 24, 2005.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability. The Veteran's claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from participating in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and a VA examination to assess her ability to work due to her service-connected low back disability. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) will also be addressed.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current low back disability to his military service, and arthritis of the lumbosacral spine was not shown within one year of discharge. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar strain with degenerative changes and left hip degenerative joint disease were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, PTSD, and posttraumatic fibromyalgia. The decision also addressed issues related to TDIU, NODs regarding denial of service connection for PTSD and fibromyalgia, and CUE in a 1998 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as spinal stenosis and chronic low back pain, is attributable to service. Additionally, the left hip arthritis is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn, and his claims for service connection for stroke residuals; increased disability ratings for a renal disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension; and TDIU are all granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral antero-medially displaced disc of the TMJ. The low back disorder is currently under consideration as it relates to PTSD and may be secondary to that condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied in November 1995 due to lack of evidence showing the condition was incurred or aggravated by military service. The claim has been reopened, but new and material evidence has not been submitted to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for low back strain, hepatitis, bilateral tinea pedis with ingrown toenails, polyneuropathy of the right upper extremity, and polyneuropathy of the left upper extremity have been denied. The RO assigned a 20 percent rating for low back strain effective September 8, 2003, under DC 5292 (prior to September 26, 2003).

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death, and there was no evidence of a service connection for any other significant condition listed on his Certificate of Death.