Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability with degenerative changes. The Board has determined that further examination and medical opinion are needed to clarify the nature and etiology of his current lower back disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 2, 2001 for the grant of a total rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability due to lack of evidence showing he became unemployable within one year of that date and because his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for such a rating.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disability due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The issue of low back disability is still pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right hip disabilities, finding no evidence of a chronic condition related to his military service.

The Board's decision in December 1997 denying the reopening of a claim for service connection for a low back disability is overturned due to new evidence showing a chronic post-service back disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, effective September 26, 1988.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, to include arthritis and degenerative disc disease, from August 21, 1995 through December 22, 1996.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide proper VCAA notice and for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's thoracolumbar scoliosis did not warrant a higher rating, as it was manifested by symptoms in an unexceptional disability picture and did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under either the 'old' or 'new' rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining service medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his low back strain, right shoulder condition, and psychiatric issues.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for fibromyositis of the lumbar paravertebral muscles with limitation of forward bending is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, warranting a finding of secondary service connection. However, the claim for an increased rating for the right knee condition remains denied.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's lumbar stenosis is related to his service-connected pes planus with right great toe fusion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the veteran's low back disability and PTSD. The issues of increased rating for low back disability and service connection for PTSD are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disability and either his in-service condition or a service-connected disability.

The veteran is seeking service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis, which he claims is related to his low back strain. The VA examiner found no direct relationship between the two conditions but did find that the veteran's low back strain may have aggravated his pre-existing lumbar degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right lung disorder, low back disorder, and asthma are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition and psychiatric disorders, finding no evidence of such conditions related to the veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notification and development, need for a name change verification, and need for VA examinations regarding back disorder, right leg disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation due to incomplete development of his medical records, including those from active duty, reserve service, private treatment providers, and VA facilities. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant records and provide the veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any lower back disability and schizophrenia.