Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case to allow for a hearing before the RO in St. Louis, Missouri, and then readjudicate the claims.

The VA has increased the rating for service-connected residuals of fractures of L1 and L2 of the lumbar spine from 20% to 50%, effective as of November 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered and to provide proper notice under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals concerning entitlement to service connection for loss of sight, chronic sinusitis, and an initial evaluation greater than 10 percent for impingement syndrome of the left shoulder. The issues have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the veteran's service, including for his claimed back pain, depression, memory loss, and skin rash. The claims were denied as there is insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for small cell lung cancer and a back disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of asbestos exposure has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his back disability is not related to military service.

The veteran seeks service connection for a back disability. The VA has ordered further medical development and the RO should arrange for an examination to determine if there is any relationship between his current back condition and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations, finding that there was insufficient evidence to grant these claims.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities were granted. The current disability ratings are effective from the dates specified.

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

The veteran's initial increased rating claim for low back strain was denied, and his secondary service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether the veteran's disabilities are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability, finding that the current evaluation of 40 percent is appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms and clinical findings.

The case is being remanded for further development of the evidence, including verifying a claimed back injury during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in June 1987 and ensuring compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it did not meet the criteria for ankylosis or other conditions warranting such a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip and lumbar spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a deviated septum, sinus disorder, right ear hearing loss, and arthritis of the feet. The tinnitus claim was granted with a 10% disability evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal in its entirety.