Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate examination and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disorder began during his active duty service.

The Veteran's request for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has been remanded due to his failure to be afforded a requested video conference hearing. The case is now pending and will be scheduled for such a hearing.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including those related to a right knee disability, are denied as the evidence does not support that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is etiologically linked to his period of active service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral disc disease with osteoarthritis and left leg pain is currently rated at 40 percent, but does not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for VA and private medical records that may be relevant to the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied, and the RO found that a higher rating is not warranted. The cervical spine disability claim was also denied as there was no evidence of a direct relationship to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for orthopedic/neurological examinations to assess his service-connected spine disability and associated sciatica with residual motor weakness of the right leg. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected adjustment disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The effective date of this grant is December 7, 2005.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable disability rating for residuals of a dislocated coccyx and service connection for alcohol dependence have been withdrawn. The appeal for service connection for lumbosacral strain is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The lumbar spine disability was not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating, and the left knee disability did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially evaluated as 10 percent disabling prior to June 20, 2006. From June 20, 2006, the disability is not rated higher than 40 percent.

The Veteran's low back pain with mild degenerative changes of the posterior elements at L5 to S1 is currently rated as 40 percent disabling. The separate rating for right leg sciatic pain has been granted and is set at 10 percent, effective September 23, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes was granted, and he is now rated at 40 percent effective from March 26, 2008.

The Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for psychiatric disorder, back disorder, stomach disorder, and bilateral knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder due to an injury sustained in service. The case is being sent back for further development, including obtaining all relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for automobile and adaptive equipment, special home adaption grant, and specially adaptive housing due to a lack of anatomical use of an extremity.

The Board has determined that further development is required with respect to the right shoulder, osteoporosis, lumbar spine, and GERD claims. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and glaucoma claims are not currently on appeal.