Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is etiologically related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not shown to be etiologically related to her active duty service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbar strain with lumbar disc disease, finding that the Veteran's low back disorder had its onset during service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability was denied. The RO found that the current evaluation of 40 percent adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms, including pain and stiffness but not requiring bed rest or neurologic impairment.

The Veteran's low back, right wrist, left knee, and right knee conditions were all found to be incurred in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder, as no such evidence exists in the record.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of the December 2009 examination regarding whether the Veteran's left leg sensory abnormalities are related to his degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury has been granted, and the case is dismissed as there are no issues over which the Board may exercise appellate jurisdiction.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and possibly a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, head injury with migraines, and PTSD with depression are being remanded due to the need for further development including verification of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back and neck disabilities are not related to service, including his in-service motor vehicle accident. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.,For diabetes mellitus, the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, resulting from a fusion surgery in November 2007, is currently rated at 50 percent disabling. The lumbar spine compression fracture residuals are also rated at 20 percent. Both conditions meet the criteria for their respective ratings.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric conditions and spinal and joint disorders, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected left foot disability. The Board has determined that additional evidence should be obtained before the claims can be fully adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for medical examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's right arm and lower back disabilities.

The Board found that the appellant's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine did not warrant an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to April 17, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for a low back disorder and an initial compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss are pending.

The Board found that the appellant's lumbar spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have had its onset in service.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine was initially rated at 10 percent, effective July 18, 1998. The claim for an increased rating from August 30, 2004 to June 26, 2008 resulted in a grant of a 20 percent disability rating.