Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeal from the appellant prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung/asthma disorder and low back disorder are both incurred during active service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need to consider additional evidence received since the last complete Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right-sided moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, effective from January 26, 2005. The lower back disability and left-sided radiculopathy have not been rated higher.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by active service, as there was no clear evidence of aggravation during service. The preexisting conditions did not worsen in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board found no current diagnosis of diabetes, left ear disability, or lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's service treatment records did not show any findings related to these conditions. There is insufficient evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and skin disability, as well as his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD are all denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to the need for further development of his service-connected disabilities and pending claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disability and a right hand disability have been denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The VA Chief Benefits Director denied an extraschedular rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that it did not present such exceptional or unusual disability picture as to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and no higher. The Board denied increased ratings for cervical spine strain, right ankle strain, and left ankle strain.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy, claimed as a back condition, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's low back disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to April 27, 2009. Since then, the VA examination showed limited flexion of 40 degrees and a higher rating of 20 percent has been granted effective from that date.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, hypertension, headaches, and low back disorders as the evidence did not support a medical nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing back disorder increased in severity during her period of active duty and is therefore service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum to the VA examination and obtaining all relevant treatment records.