Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's current cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and stenosis at C5-C6 and C6-C7, was incurred in active service. The Board finds that the Veteran's upper extremity radiculopathy is related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury, low back disability, and leg length discrepancy. Further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's cyst on the right wrist and low back disorder are found to be incurred in service, while his cysts on the feet were not. The appeal for cysts on the feet is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability determination and records from the Livermore VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip and lumbar spine disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU rating due to their combined effect on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his active military service and granted entitlement to service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for left knee, feet, and back disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 30, 2001 for service connection for Major Depression associated with Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine. The Veteran's claim was received on December 20, 1991 and entitlement arose on February 12, 2000.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and shoulder disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to incomplete records and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is rated at 40 percent effective October 18, 2007. The other conditions remain unchanged.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development due to a lack of discussion regarding the importance of certain service and post-service medical evidence in determining whether the Veteran's current low back and cervical spine disorders were caused during, as a result of, or aggravated by any incident of his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not have their onset during active military service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examination reports and incomplete service records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder is not related to his service, specifically noting the lack of any complaints or treatment for a back condition during or after service. The Board concluded that the Veteran's current back disorder was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of his claim for an increased rating for low back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's claims for back disability, bilateral hip disability, and residuals of head injury will be reviewed again with a focus on establishing service connection.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current low back disorder to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.