Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if there is a service connection for a low back disability, including a back scar. The Veteran's statements about an inservice injury and his VA medical records from St. Croix are considered in this process.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent effective March 1, 2005. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has considered and applied both the old and new versions of VA regulations for rating disabilities of the spine, with the most favorable regulation being applied after the effective date of the regulatory change. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated based on limitation of motion under DCs 5285, 5292, 5293, 5294, and 5295.

The Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing VCAA notice.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for consideration of additional evidence submitted after the July 2008 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for cervical disc disease, lumbar nerve syndrome/disc disease, and scoliosis. The Veteran's current spine conditions are considered to be related to her pre-existing developmental defect (scoliosis).

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and neurological disorder of the bilateral lower extremities are related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to missing VA medical records and the need for a new VA examination to assess his current neurologic disability associated with his service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis of the knees and low back strain were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred. The current disabilities are deemed unrelated to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a lumbar spine disability on a direct basis or secondary to a service-connected thoracic spine disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the claims of service connection for malaria, a back condition, a knee condition, a foot condition, and a skin condition. The claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for posttraumatic headaches is denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted are inadequate and requires further development of evidence, including obtaining medical records from various sources and conducting new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating claims have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids, and there was no indication of service connection or exposure basis for the back condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD).

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various knee and spine disorders have been granted. The specific conditions include right knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, left knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected low back and right lower extremity conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to November 14, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran is seeking to establish service connection for a low back disability. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination, is necessary before this issue can be decided.