Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new examinations and a SOC on his back disability claim. The TDIU issue will be deferred until the rating decision on generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus the claims are denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for his back disability is granted, and he is granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist as secondary to his right wrist.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 27, 2001, for service connection for a low back disability was granted. The June 5, 1970, rating decision denying service connection for a back condition is not considered to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a heart condition and whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for headaches. The Veteran's claims of hearing loss and back condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the current rating. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is granted, as the Veteran meets the percentage requirements set forth in VA regulations and his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for claims of high cholesterol and urethritis. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the RO has granted separate additional 10 percent ratings for radicular symptoms of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity effective from June 25, 2009.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, sciatica of the right lower extremity, and sciatica of the left lower extremity due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's vertigo and back disorder were found to have onset during service, warranting service connection. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a disability rating of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date of February 26, 2003, is warranted for the award of a separate evaluation of 10 percent each for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities. This decision was based on evidence in the claims file indicating neurological symptoms associated with the service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for a low back disability and remanded his claims for an increased rating for a left knee disability and service connection for PTSD. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with spondylosis and radiculopathy, finding that it was incurred in active service. The cervical spine issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a rating of 40 percent for his low back disability, but no higher. The issue before the Board now is whether he should receive a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The cervical spine disability was rated as 20% prior to September 17, 2002 and 40% thereafter. The wrist injury with ulnar neuropathy and right shoulder strain were both rated at 10%. No earlier effective date was granted for the service connection of right shoulder strain.

The Board has ordered additional development to be completed, including obtaining service records and medical records related to the Veteran's claims for back disorder, neck strain, and residuals of a bullet fragment in the nose. The case is being remanded for further consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for headaches, left knee, and back disorders. The claim for right thigh disorder was not addressed as it had already been denied in August 1995.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back condition is most likely related to service, and thus grants service connection for a low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, knee, and hip disorders are not related to his active service or a service-connected disability. The claims were denied.