Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's lumbar spine disability is manifested by complaints of pain, tenderness and stiffness; and no more than moderate limitation of spine motion consisting of 80 degrees of forward flexion in the low back accompanied by pain, beginning at 60 degrees; extension limited to 30 degrees, with pain beginning at 20 degrees; left and right side bending limited to 30 degrees, with pain at 20 degrees; and no evidence of deformity. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine strain have not been met.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with myofascitis and disc strain at L5-S1, which is the maximum allowable under current criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination report and because Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center records are needed for consideration.

The Board is unable to determine the outcome of some claims due to insufficient evidence, but has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted for others. The veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The case is being remanded for a Decision Review Officer hearing and further development.

The Board found that the submitted evidence was not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disorder.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to outstanding medical records and potential revision of disability criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and low back disorder are denied. The claim for service connection of the left knee disorder is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for the right knee disorder is also denied. A low back disorder claim remains pending as further evaluation is required.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his lumbar spine disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a back disorder and a respiratory disorder, including as a result of asbestos exposure. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between any current diagnoses and military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed low back and left knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and residuals of a left acromioclavicular separation, finding new and material evidence. The neck and right shoulder disorders are also addressed with further examination needed.

The Board found that the submitted evidence was not new and material, thus denying the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection for bronchitis with COPD, hypertension, and arthritis of the lumbosacral spine.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining his personnel records and providing him with a VA examination. The issues of service connection for various conditions are also being addressed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his varicose veins and any current back, right shoulder, or herpes zoster disorders. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be reconsidered after this additional evidence has been obtained.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as the issue had not been raised in prior decisions.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and determination of his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings, finding that the veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.