Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to his active service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and adjudicating his TDIU claim. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated as 10 percent since December 11, 2008. He is also entitled to a separate rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating based on his current symptoms. The VA has determined that he meets the criteria for a 40 percent rating but no more.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability may be related to his service-connected knee disabilities, and additional evidence is needed to make a determination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and determining whether service connection is warranted for a low back disability.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on his current symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and residuals of heat stroke. The evidence submitted since the last final denial was not considered material to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for an initial higher rating for recurrent, low back strain and a TDIU were denied. The Board found that additional development was needed before these matters could be adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, allergic rhinitis, and microcytic hypochromic anemia were granted. The initial evaluations for these conditions are as follows: lumbosacral strain at 20%, allergic rhinitis at 10%, and microcytic hypochromic anemia is rated compensable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, neck disorder, upper back disorder, and lower back disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current diagnoses and her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be productive of a disability picture that precludes him from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 30 percent effective June 26, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with previous directives and additional development is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, but granted service connection for a right knee disorder. The rating assigned was 20 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented, allowing the reopening of the claim for service connection for a back disability. The issue is now on its merits.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records, conduct a VA examination, and determine whether the Veteran meets the percentage requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic lumbar strain and left leg radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.