Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain more recent treatment records and to schedule a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability should be remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and determine if there is any link between his active duty service and his current condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is reopened and new evidence supports this decision. However, further examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if his current low back condition is related to his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits based on his spouse's need for regular aid or attendance, finding no legal provision allowing such additional benefits.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development, including obtaining clarifying medical opinions and additional VA and private medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and paravertebral muscle spasm, cervical spine. The RO had previously denied these claims in December 1994.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural defects and additional development is required.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability did not begin during active service and is not related to any incident of service, thus denying service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for blindness of the left eye and granted it. The other issues on appeal are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right heel disorder, lumbar spine disability, and thoracic spine disability are all related to his active military service. The right shoulder degenerative changes have been rated as non-compensable since April 8, 1994.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for hepatitis due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The other issues remain pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that no formal or informal claims were filed prior to July 20, 1998. The effective date of July 20, 1998 was assigned based on the receipt of a claim for compensation for bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis of both knees and granted it, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The issue of whether the veteran's current arthritis is related to his service-connected disability remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and arranging for a psychiatric examination. The veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and PTSD rating are pending.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disorder did not begin in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are pending.

The veteran's arthralgia of the left hip and dysthymia have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.