Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain clarifying evidence regarding the cause of his claimed left shoulder and low back disabilities, as well as to schedule a VA examination.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as there is no evidence of a low back disorder at separation from service, and no medical evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for genital warts is denied as there are no records of the condition during or after service. The claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder and back disability is pending, but a VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions may be related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, but the VA examination and addendum indicate that his disability warrants a higher rating of 40 percent due to limited range of motion and mild sciatic neuropathy.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected low back strain with radiculopathy from February 26, 2001 to September 22, 2002.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly lumbar DDD with mechanical low back pain, result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds that the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability and GERD were not incurred or aggravated by his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine are manifested by mild symptoms, and his disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the appellant's current diagnosis of degenerative disease of the thoracolumbar spine is not linked to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder was rated at 10 percent prior to March 12, 2002 and increased to 20 percent effective April 5, 2007. The claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of mechanical low back syndrome is related to his period of active service. The left elbow disorder claim remains pending as it was remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were incurred in service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to determine the presence of a lumbar spine and/or bilateral hip disorder, and whether any found disorders are related to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran is reminded that he must report for any scheduled examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating before January 28, 2008 was granted and he is now rated at 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back disorder and pterygium of the left eye are being remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.