Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected low back disability was granted, with a 20% evaluation effective from August 15, 2002. The Veteran's PTSD and earlier effective date claims are pending.

The Veteran's lower back disorder was incurred in service and the Board has granted service connection for his disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with DJD was granted a 20 percent rating effective August 8, 2006. The increased rating for diabetes mellitus remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for spondylolisthesis of L5 - 6, claimed as low back pain was denied by the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a prostate disorder. The Veteran's bilateral foot and eye disorders are not addressed in the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The evidence is insufficient to establish a link between any current psychiatric condition and service. Service connection was also denied for left foot and toes disability, low back disorder, and multiple sclerosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a claim for individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the appellant's current back disorder, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is related to his military service. The case is being remanded for a VA medical examination and further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine condition and TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that further development is needed, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities pre-existed service or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran is seeking DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional low back disability resulting from a VA surgical procedure in August 2002. The Board has determined that further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an examination, is necessary to properly adjudicate the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and found that new evidence, including VA and private treatment records, lay statements, and written statements from the Veteran, raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The Board also found that the current disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left shoulder injury secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a back disability have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his back disability, as recent medical documentation indicates that his condition may have worsened since the last examination in July 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (primarily his peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities) have resulted in the permanent loss of use of both legs, as no effective function remains other than that which could be equally well served by below-the-knee amputation stumps with use of a suitable prosthetic appliance. Therefore, assistance for the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection claims and a need for medical examinations.

The Veteran's degenerative changes of the thoracic spine with low back strain are currently rated at 40 percent, effective May 31, 2006. The RO has recognized a single disability for his thoracolumbar spine under the revised rating criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease and joint disease of his lumbosacral spine, as well as a compensable disability rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The Board found that these conditions did not have onset during active service or were caused by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.