Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 31, 1992, for the award of service connection for a lumbar spine disability was dismissed as his appeal is not authorized by law due to the finality of the May 1993 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a respiratory disability to include pulmonary tuberculosis and emphysema, a lumbar spine disorder, a bilateral arm disorder, and a visual disorder. The decision also noted that the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for a respiratory disability due to his psychiatric disability other than PTSD was referred to the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not caused him to become blind or so nearly blind as to require regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's low back disability, rated as 10 percent disabling prior to December 4, 2009, and now rated at 40 percent effective December 4, 2009, warrants a higher rating due to the current limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine arthritis, right hip degenerative joint disease, and right knee conditions as they are not related to the service-connected right calf laceration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active service and has denied the claim of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a right eye disability, low back disability, and did not grant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to his military service and arthritis of the lumbar spine was not shown within one year of discharge.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back condition did not originate in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete evidence and potential treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and his cervical strain is also rated at 10 percent. The Board denied both claims for higher evaluations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current condition is related to active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is not manifested by any limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, status post laminectomy at L4-5 due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's missing teeth are not considered compensable under VA compensation laws.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO/AMC for further development and adjudication of his TDIU claim, as well as related service connection claims. The RO/AMC will provide a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone result in unemployability.