Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim for increased rating and TDIU can be fully adjudicated.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran seeks service connection for these conditions based on in-service injuries, but the VA needs to verify his service records and obtain relevant medical records.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's currently diagnosed back disability was related to his military service, particularly any injury therein. As such, the claim for service connection for a back disability is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the right hip. The low back disability was denied as not related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and finds that it is warranted based on evidence showing current disability, continuity of symptoms since service, and a relationship to in-service injury. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied due to the absence of service connection for any disabilities. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations to assess the impact of his nonservice-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board found no evidence of a lumbar spine disability in service and concluded that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a chronic lumbar strain with history of lower extremity numbness, pain, and osteoarthritis was dismissed as the appellant withdrew the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's low back disorder is being reviewed, along with his claim for TDIU.

The VA determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not caused by or worsened by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected low back disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine (DC 5237), does not warrant a higher rating as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on forward flexion being greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, or any other relevant diagnostic criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent, and the Board granted service connection for a cervical disk disorder, left knee disorder, and left peroneal nerve palsy as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's tinnitus and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are service-connected, with a rating of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability. The effective date for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is set at April 9, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for hearing loss and lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's PTSD claim is pending due to the need for verification of stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on this need.