Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has decided that the VA examination report is inadequate and needs to be supplemented with additional information. The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder will be remanded for further action.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and treatment reports from chiropractors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a left hip/left knee/left leg condition, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The Board also found that these conditions were not related to the veteran's active duty service or his service-connected postoperative residuals of a pilonidal cyst.

The Board found that the veteran's spondylolysis existed prior to service and was not aggravated by active service. The currently demonstrated low back conditions are due to aging, congenital anomalies, or degenerative changes unrelated to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing at the RO in San Juan. The claims of service connection, disability rating for scars, and history of kidney stones are still pending.

The Board found that service connection was granted for a right shoulder rotator cuff tear injury, but denied claims for heart disorder, sinusitis, left knee disorder, hemorrhoids, and increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia and musculoskeletal low back pain. The left foot disability is rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's combined rating of 70 percent from January 1, 2002 meets the schedular requirements for TDIU. However, further examination is needed to determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gout, a cervical spine disorder, and a lumbar spine disorder. The VA examiners concluded that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently evaluated at 40 percent, which reflects severe limitation of motion. The claim for an increased rating has been granted.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has determined that an examination is necessary to assess the current severity of the veteran's service-connected back condition, and further development is required.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is due to an injury sustained in military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint/disc disease of the lumbar spine is not attributable to a service-connected disease or injury, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, residuals of a rhinoplasty to correct sleep apnea, and left ear hearing loss. The veteran's current status regarding these conditions is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for scoliosis and chronic lumbar strain, but denied service connection for spondylolysis, degenerative joint disease of the back, and degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's knee, shoulder, ankle, and spine conditions need further examination to determine their etiology. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a cervical or lumbar spine disability that is related to his period of service, including due to alleged inservice radiation exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting lumbar spondylolisthesis was aggravated during active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from April 1, 1997. The VA determined that his disability does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.