Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for additional development due to outstanding records and a need for an orthopedic examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, currently diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, was incurred during his period of active military service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, as well as his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The decision found that the left iliac crest periostitis did not result in flexion of the left hip limited to 20 degrees or less, thus not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision does not address the temporary total evaluation claim.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic back disorder is granted, and his tinnitus is also granted. Service connection for hearing loss is granted with an initial noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he did not file a timely notice of disagreement with the September 2004 rating decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but his thoracolumbar strain with scoliosis and PTSD are not rated higher than the current levels.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine and right hip disability are etiologically related to his active service, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his left ankle disability and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are denied as they do not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine is a result of his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims due to incomplete evidence and deficiencies in the examination provided.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to low back strain, finding that the Veteran was not unemployable prior to May 19, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his in-service injury. The appeal will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 31, 2003, and from March 31, 2003, through August 25, 2008, he was granted an initial evaluation of 40 percent. From August 26, 2008, the evidence did not support a higher rating.