Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back condition requires additional development due to incomplete medical records and unclear evidence regarding the onset of his current condition.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disease is rated at the highest available rating based on limitation of motion. The claims to reopen service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are granted due to new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant's lumbar degenerative disc disease with lumbar disc herniation is attributable to service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for basal cell carcinomas (other than the right posterior neck) remains pending as another VA opinion is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the veteran's current disability is related to his active service. The issue of total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's recurrent lumbar strain was granted an initial compensable evaluation for the period prior to July 10, 2006 and a noncompensable rating thereafter. The Board found that his symptomatology warranted a higher evaluation from July 9, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to her active service or a period of inactive duty for training, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for service-connected osteoporosis of the lumbar spine and his claim for service connection for prostatitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to procedural and evidentiary considerations, including the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbar disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lower back disability is not related to his time in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative changes.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his chronic lumbosacral strain with hip, thigh, buttocks and calf pain is being remanded to the RO due to a procedural issue. The initial staged-ratings assigned are not in dispute.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and a challenge to the apportionment of his initial rating. The case is being remanded due to issues related to both these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hemorrhoids, low back disorder, GERD, pancreatitis, biliary disease, and proctitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish an in-service etiology or link to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back strain, secondary to arthralgias of the bilateral hips, knees, and ankles is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed back disability and sexual dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical, lumbar, and thoracic spine disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is related to his military service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found no evidence linking the Veteran's chronic back disorder (including arthritis) to his military service.