Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran seeks service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of his current back condition and whether it is related to his military service.

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

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of any current low back disabilities and whether they are related to service or pre-existed service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, knee disabilities, a low back disability, and eye injuries. The decision found that there was no evidence of current diagnoses or a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the appellant needs regular aid and attendance or is housebound due to disability. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is due to his service-connected back disability and nonservice-connected Parkinson's disease, which together contribute to his impairment. As such, special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn with respect to the claims for left shoulder disability and low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records. His PTSD claim remains inapplicable as it does not involve a service connection issue.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) records and other pertinent medical records. The claims will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his low back disability and any related neurologic manifestations. The case will be re-adjudicated after the additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for costochondritis, claimed as chest pain, was granted. The claims for increased ratings for the right ankle and lumbosacral strain with mild sciatica and right radiculopathy were also granted.

The Board found that the low back disability existed prior to service and did not increase in severity during service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development and readjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain was granted an increased rating of 40 percent effective August 5, 2009. Prior to this date, the disability had been rated at 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and is not proximately related to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar degenerative disc disease and service connection for lumbar radiculitis of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records from Dr. Raker.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder with associated lower left extremity radiculopathy is not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted effective June 28, 2007. The claim for an extra-schedular evaluation for the lumbar spine disability prior to October 18, 1994 was denied.

The Veteran's claims were granted, with the right knee disability receiving a rating of 20 percent effective from June 1, 2005. The issues regarding lumbar strain and service connection for a right foot disability are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his age is considered in determining whether he can secure or follow substantially gainful employment.