Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records from identified providers.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, upper left extremity disorder, bilateral glaucoma, left ear hearing loss, hypertension, and scrotal abscess. The evidence did not establish current disabilities or a link between any claimed conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC for further development and consideration of his claims. The issues of an increased rating higher than 40 percent for the service-connected low back disability and a TDIU rating are deferred until after completion of the necessary actions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, and his lumbosacral spine disability was also rated at 20 percent. The Board is remanding the case to schedule a VA examination for the lumbosacral spine.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his cervical spine, lumbar spine, and sciatica disabilities. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition. His lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 20%. His sciatica disabilities do not warrant additional ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for issuance of a SOC addressing his claims and readjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of his low back and right knee complaints and the severity of his left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy. The claim for low back disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for her low back disability was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis, separately ratable neurological symptoms, or incapacitating episodes of 6 weeks or more in the past 12 months.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disorder is caused by his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right ankle, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The right wrist disability was granted as service connected.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, effective from January 22, 1994. The Veteran's sleep disorder claim is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back disability was first manifested during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder to his service-connected disabilities of right patella chondromalacia and left patella chondromalacia, thus denying service connection on both direct and secondary bases.

The Board found that the Veteran's left leg disability is secondary to his service-connected low back disability and granted service connection for it.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on a verified in-service stressor. The low back disability is not service-connected, as it is more likely related to natural degenerative changes rather than his service-connected shoulder and elbow conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and adjudication of the matter of whether a higher rating for his low back disability is warranted on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral disc disease had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a left eye disorder due to incomplete records, including treatment records from SSA, VA Medical Center, and private physicians. The Veteran will be provided with an examination if in-service back surgery is documented.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current spinal stenosis and low back pain are not due to his April 2002 surgery, but rather a pre-existing condition. The Board finds that the evidence does not support the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.