Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back strain was denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite, including peripheral neuropathy, cold sensitization, arthritis, circulatory problems, fungal infection, and chronic night pain; a low back disorder; a left knee disorder; a left hip disorder; and a left hand disorder. The claim for skin cancer was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for herniated discs of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disease in service or within one year after discharge. The current back disorder is more likely than not due to normal aging and arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for left elbow epicondylitis, right elbow epicondylitis, low back disorder, right hip disability, right ankle disability, and right foot disability. The reasons were that these conditions were not incurred or related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a left knee injury, a low back disability, or bilateral pes planus. The claims are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and employment information.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, residuals of head injury, and psychiatric disability. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc diseases is currently rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating for severe limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the appellant's back disability, including degenerative disc disease, was incurred during service. As such, with resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant, service connection for a back disability, including degenerative disc disease, is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, finding that VA's recoupment of his special separation benefit payment was proper. The case is remanded to obtain additional development regarding the veteran's current back disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding no evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating for his right shoulder disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a direct service connection. The claim for an increased rating was granted with a 10 percent disability rating effective April 1, 1990.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and considering the revised diagnostic provisions for spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, finding that none of them meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to new legal standards and a need for further examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an increased evaluation for his right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for clarification of hearing requests, verification of treatment records, and additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's failed back syndrome, status post lumbar microdiscectomy with lower extremity radiculopathy is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his low back strain with postoperative lumbar disc disease, including consideration of functional loss due to pain.