Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to decide the claim and has ordered a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of frostbite of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and residuals of total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy have been reopened. Service connection for PTSD has been granted, and the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on her psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records related to his low back condition and scheduling him for an appropriate VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic pain syndrome is also addressed in this decision.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for various conditions allegedly resulting from VA treatment for Hodgkin's disease beginning in January 2004.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and new evidence, including a statement from the Veteran's sister. The appeal is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for residuals of a right paravertebral strain at L3-L4 is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate his service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The issue of service connection will be considered in light of any new evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since January 22, 2002. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic muscular strain of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 40 percent is warranted for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease prior to November 25, 2009 is denied as there is no medical or lay evidence that the Veteran meets any criterion for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate an exceptional or unusual disability picture with such related factors as frequent hospitalization or marked interference with employment to render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards.

The Board denied reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disability, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected eczematous rash with lichenification, bilateral lower legs is rated at 10 percent. The residual scars of the right eyebrow are not disfiguring and thus do not warrant a higher rating. Bilateral hearing loss does not meet criteria for compensable evaluation. The status post right tenth rib fracture has been granted a 10 percent rating effective March 1, 2006. The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent. Headaches have been assigned a 30 percent rating as of July 9, 2009.

The Veteran's low back disability and associated radiculopathy are rated at 20 percent since July 23, 2009. The prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent effective from the date of service connection (November 1991). The left knee patella pain syndrome is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing at the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and a skin disorder of the feet. The claim for PTSD was granted with an initial disability rating of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and authorization from the appellant to obtain private medical records. The appellant will also be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal of the rating for chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes was withdrawn prior to a decision by the Board. The appeals for increased ratings for right wrist disability and for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim due to the need for further development, including a VA examination to determine whether the appellant needs aid and attendance (A&A) or is housebound (HB).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records from Social Security Administration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a back disability, fungal infection of the toe and fingernails, hernia, psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and gastrointestinal disability. The reasons given were that there was no competent diagnosis of PTSD attributable to active service and that psychiatric disability other than PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.