Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the last denial of service connection for low back disorder and residuals of hepatitis is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of these claims.

The veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, which he claims are related to an in-service truck accident. The Board has determined that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has granted a temporary total evaluation based on the need for post-surgical convalescence due to the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, effective from October 31, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete notification and assistance, as well as the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, which is more than the current 10 percent rating. The issue of hepatitis C was not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's death was caused by a service-connected closed head injury with headaches, which contributed to his depression and suicide.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as further consideration of the veteran's claim.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it is related to a back injury sustained during military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disorder and a low back disorder, both as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a right ankle injury, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the veteran's neck disability, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The RO will now proceed with adjudicating the merits of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for a travel board hearing and further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a current disability and no link between any diagnosed conditions and his military service.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the severity of the veteran's service-connected conditions and any associated bladder condition. The RO must also issue a statement of the case regarding the initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar stenosis, post-surgical condition did not originate during service and there is no evidence linking it to any incident of service. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back strain with disc disease warrants a rating of 40 percent, effective from March 2, 1978.

The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations for the veteran's spine disabilities, including orthopedic and neurological evaluations. The RO will then readjudicate the claims based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's left foot, right foot, cervical spine, low back, right ankle and right shoulder disabilities were not present in service or until many years thereafter, and they are not related to service or to an incident of service origin, or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with sciatic neuritis has been rated at 40 percent since February 18, 1999. The Board has determined that a higher evaluation of 60 percent is warranted for this period.