Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his claims to reopen his schizophrenia and chest pains claims. The claim for service connection for pemphigus vulgaris of the mouth and throat was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claimed neck injuries and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if any current low back diagnosis is related to service or due to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran does not have lumbosacral strain that is attributable to his active military service, and the Board finds that it is not related to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudicative action due to conflicting evidence regarding a bus accident during service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder. However, the claim is still denied as there is no medical evidence showing a direct link between the Veteran's military service and his current low back disability.

The Board found no evidence of a back disability being incurred during or as a result of the Veteran's military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his spine disability is being remanded due to the need for current treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and Social Security Administration records related to his orthopedic disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a total disability rating for compensation on the basis of individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities. However, there is uncertainty about whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely because of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a lumbar spine disability attributable to his military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and IBS. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and neurological impairment of the left lower extremity have been granted service connection, but are currently rated at 10 percent each. The appeal is resolved in favor of the VA.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, and his right leg radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's back disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. His right leg radiculopathy also does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims of service connection for hypertension, low back disability, and asthma. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left knee strain and lumbar strain are denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim filed before June 21, 2006.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability and denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed back condition. For his right shoulder disability, the Board determined that the current evaluation of 30% was appropriate based on limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his intervertebral disc degeneration of the lumbar spine, internal derangement of the right shoulder, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome.