Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, as he is able to perform basic self-care functions and does not require substantial confinement.

The Board denied the claim that compensation for service-connected low back disability should not be withheld due to the Veteran's receipt of separation pay.

The Board found no evidence of a back disorder during service or within one year after separation, and the VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current degenerative disease is less likely as not caused by an injury in service. The appeal was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral scar is rated at 10 percent, the maximum under current regulations. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudicative action due to outstanding records from Eaton Corporation and the United States Postal Service, as well as potential service connection issues related to the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is remanded due to inadequate notice and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of hypertension during or after service. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of back disability, and thus cannot grant service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of his claims for TDIU.

The Veteran's hypertension was reduced from 20% to 10%, effective April 5, 2006. His lumbosacral spine disorder remains at a 20% evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, left knee disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and initial compensatory disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The appeals were also denied regarding effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for new VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to, or the result of, his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, a back disorder, and a bilateral knee disorder were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or that any are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding no evidence of a worsening in his left ear hearing loss or any new conditions related to his service-connected metallic foreign body. The Veteran's bilateral knee and hip degenerative joint diseases were not found to be secondary to his service-connected condition, and his lumbar spine disease was also not found to be secondary.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to her service and has granted her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran had polio during active duty service, currently has post-polio syndrome or a low back disorder secondary to post-polio syndrome, and if any of these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board finds that there is no evidence of a low back injury during service, and the Veteran's current degenerative changes of the lumbar spine are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for pes planus and lumbar strain with degenerative changes were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.