Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the Veteran's service medical records, including those from Camp Pendleton and San Diego Naval Hospital. The Veteran is entitled to a new determination on his claim for service connection for a chronic lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA opinion on his employability and whether he meets the criteria for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his service-connected bilateral feet disabilities, and whether it was caused or aggravated by those disabilities. The claim will be readjudicated after obtaining any necessary records.

The Veteran's COPD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been granted service connection, with COPD linked to smoking and nicotine dependence that began during service. Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is also granted as it is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for joint pain other than in the left ankle and a skin disability were denied as they are not supported by evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that led to current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for another VA examination to assess her employability due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left patellofemoral syndrome does not cause or permanently aggravate her low back disorder, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was incurred during active service and granted service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted with initial ratings of 10 percent prior to January 8, 2008 and increased to 40 percent after that date. He also received separate 10 percent ratings for radiculopathy affecting his lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The issues of reopening service connection for a right leg disability, left leg disability, and bilateral hip disability were also addressed but no specific decision is provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the etiology of his back disorder. The lung disorder issue will also be deferred pending receipt of Social Security Administration records and updated VA medical center records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine at L5 and finds that it is related to his military service. The appeal is granted.

The April 1955 rating decision denying service connection for lumbosacral back strain is final. The Veteran has not presented new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted a noncompensable rating, and his low back disorder is service connected with a compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and back disorder. The claims were denied as there is no new evidence showing a chronic injury or aggravation of these conditions during service.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for headaches, an eye condition, a lung disability, and PTSD. The claim of service connection for DDD L4 - S1, status post fusion was granted but with a noncompensable rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability with radiculopathy was not incurred in or aggravated during active service. The opinion concluded that the condition existed prior to service and was not permanently aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and arthritis of the lumbosacral spine may not be presumed to be. The claim for a left knee disorder is REMANDED due to the need for a VA examination.