Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the provision of adequate notice under the VCAA.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his service-connected chronic low back pain with degenerative changes was denied. The RO assigned a combined 80 percent evaluation effective September 23, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current left wrist disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are likely related to her military service, but there is insufficient medical evidence to establish service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot fungus, a back disorder, and peripheral neuropathy. The evidence did not establish current disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder on the basis that the criteria for service connection were not met. The RO continued to deny claims for service connection for residuals of gall bladder surgery, residuals of fracture of the mandible, bronchitis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

The veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a ruptured Achilles tendon, degenerative joint disease of the hips and lumbosacral spine, and residuals of injuries to the left knee and ankle are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The claim for higher rating for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, depression, and degenerative disc disease. The decision found that the in-service head injury was not incurred in the line of duty due to alcohol abuse.

The veteran's service-connected left foot disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has requested a VA medical opinion and the veteran's case is being remanded to the RO for further consideration.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a 40 percent rating should be granted effective from April 8, 1999 to September 26, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum from a VA physician. The issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for hypothyroidism and chronic low back pain secondary to lumbar spondylolisthesis are pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the issuance of a statement of the case (SOC) on earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, encephalopathy, vasculitis, and back disability, all of which were claimed to be related to exposure to vesicant agents during military service. The VA also determined that the veteran was not entitled to nonservice-connected disability pension.

The veteran's service-connected right and left knee strain were granted with a 10 percent rating from August 1, 1991. Service connection for a low back disorder was also granted.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disability incurred or aggravated by service, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, claimed as secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder is being remanded due to further development of the evidence. The issue of increased rating for his left knee disorder remains pending.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various spinal and ankle conditions have been remanded due to procedural deficiencies in the notification process.