Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and cervical strain with degenerative disc disease have been granted. The issues regarding an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for flat feet are dismissed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's low back disorder is service-connected, with no specific rating assigned and without a specified effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's upper back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to a service-connected condition. The psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claim remains pending as no SOC has been issued for this issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee and back disabilities were denied, but he was granted a 10% rating for thoracolumbar strain.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and determined that there is a nexus between her current disability and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, low back and right leg conditions) are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that additional development is required due to conflicting evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected cardiomyopathy with heart transplant and his current degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The case is REMANDED for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 40 percent disability rating for his chronic back strain with degenerative disc disease, history of discectomy of L5-S1 was granted. The effective date is October 1, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to an injury sustained during military service, and thus grants service connection for residuals of a low back injury.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current low back disability was not incurred or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine was aggravated by his active military service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on December 10, 2008 were not rendered in an emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available to provide the services provided at the private hospital. Therefore, payment or reimbursement is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied because he did not file a timely notice of disagreement to the May 2006 rating decision that severed service connection for fibromyalgia and low back with chronic pain, effective June 1, 2006. The issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder and an earlier effective date for service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective date of the increased rating for mechanical low back pain was not granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic right upper leg disorder, chronic right foot drop, and chronic right ankle disorder were denied. The claim for a chronic lumbar spine disorder was also denied as it is not related to service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA orthopedic examination and further development of the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected lumbar spine disability on his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee and back disabilities are not related to his service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not have its onset in service and was not caused or aggravated by his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a low back disability is denied.