Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to his service, including combat in Vietnam. The RO must also consider all relevant theories of entitlement and provide an SSOC.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar disc disease and left knee internal derangement are being remanded due to the need for new medical examinations and development of evidence regarding a clothing allowance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic low back disability, including degenerative disc disease, was incurred in active service and is granted service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not caused by or a result of his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development and consideration of his TDIU claim, which is inextricably intertwined with other issues raised in a June 2007 rating decision.

The Veteran's low back pain with degenerative joint disease and disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent, effective January 26, 2005. The rating has been granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal on all issues.

The Veteran's service-connected myositis, cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are currently rated at the minimum levels. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not compensable.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for hypertension, service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and reopening a previously denied claim for lumbar spine disability were all denied by the RO. The decision also granted service connection for hypertension but assigned a noncompensable disability rating.

The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation as there is no indication of severe limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and a low back disorder are being remanded due to the unavailability of his service treatment records, which may indicate exposure to asbestos or an injury in service. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine if he has these conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine at L4-S1 is November 21, 2001. The Veteran's initial increased rating claims have been denied as her disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back pain and right knee injury residuals due to a missed hearing, and because further development is needed including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's right hip disorder and back disorder are not service-connected as they are secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder. His claim for an increased rating for the right knee disorder was granted, but he is still seeking a compensable evaluation for his surgical scar and weakness of muscle group XIII.

The Board determined that the reduction of the 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease with herniated disc, thoracolumbar spine to 10 percent was not proper and restored the original 40 percent rating effective from February 6, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for initial compensable ratings for her cervical and lumbar spine disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service records and further development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, including multilevel lumbar spondylosis, was permanently aggravated by his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate his service connection and increased rating claims, as well as his employment handicap issues. The VR&E Division will also gather information from his last employer regarding his resignation.