Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the RO's decision to sever service connection for arthritis, chronic, lumbosacral spine. The veteran did not have a prior diagnosis of arthritis before his injury in 1945, and spondylolisthesis was considered a congenital disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved clinical issues regarding low back and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as a need for additional VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back condition, and prostate condition have been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury and an increased rating for low back disability are also being addressed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a chronic low back disorder must be remanded due to incomplete records and further development is needed.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability is being remanded due to the need to verify his periods of active duty and inactive duty training, as well as to conduct a VA examination. The examiner will determine if the current low back disorder is related to prolonged sitting in aircraft during service or otherwise etiologically related to his extended period of active duty or his service in the Naval Reserves.

The veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements for a total combined disability rating of at least 70% due to his service-connected conditions. The effective date remains unchanged at May 3, 1995.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for right knee and low back disorders were denied. The RO reopened the claims based on new evidence, but denied them as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disorder.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and clarification regarding his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to several procedural issues and the need for additional medical examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and treatment records related to his hearing loss. The issues of service connection for lumbar disc disease and benign prostatic hypertrophy are also pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board granted an effective date of October 26, 1994 for a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral muscle strain with disc disease.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected arthritis of the lumbar spine warrants a 10 percent disability rating, but not higher. The medical evidence indicated that the condition is manifested by pain without associated neurological symptoms.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain with a herniated L4-5 disc is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of revised rating criteria.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a neck disorder and granted an increased evaluation for right shoulder subluxation and snapping. The left shoulder disability is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical evidence and ensure all records are reviewed before deciding the service connection claim for a low back disorder.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted since the March 1997 rating decision. The evidence now suggests that his current low back disability may be related to service, specifically an injury sustained in service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and thoracic spine, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active service.