Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an increased rating from 30 percent disabling for residuals of a fracture of the left tibia and fibula, with limitation of motion of the ankle was denied. His initial rating for mechanical low back pain with degenerative facet disease with mild canal stenosis remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a travel Board hearing and considering her request for rescheduling. The claims folder will be returned to the Board after this action.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 21, 1993 for the assignment of a compensable (10%) rating for the veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The VA denied service connection for PTSD and a low back disability. The evidence did not establish a diagnosis of PTSD, nor was there any medical opinion linking the current low back condition to service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for PTSD and for an increased rating for DDD of the lumbar spine, currently evaluated as 40 percent disabling.

The VA denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbosacral spine disorder, right wrist disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, headache disorder, and sinus disorder.,There is no evidence of any current disability related to the veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and other applicable laws, regulations, and VA guidance. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his back disorder and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the November 1998 and June 1999 rating decisions is not new and material, thus preventing the veteran's claims of service connection for loss of use of left leg and knee and upper back condition from being reopened.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability during service or within one year post-service, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, bilateral shoulder disability, traumatic dental disorder, eye disorder, hypertension, headaches, dizziness, and numbness in the arms and legs. The decision was based on the absence of competent evidence linking these disabilities to service.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar spine strain has been rated at 10 percent since October 25, 2001. The RO found that the condition did not warrant a higher rating based on its current manifestations.

The Board has ordered additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records from the El Paso facility. The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and bilateral eye disorder will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and failure to provide proper VCAA notice.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions in service or a link to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for mild scoliosis, upper lumbar and lower dorsal spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and records from SSA. The veteran's claims for service connection for back, left leg, and hip disabilities, as well as an increased rating for his right knee disability, are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back problems in service contributed to his current low back disability, and therefore grants service connection for a low back disorder. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including notification under the VCAA and consideration of revisions to VA's Rating Schedule.