Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that no new and material evidence had been received to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder. The Board also determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disorder and granted it, with a 30% rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for his back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a clarification of an October 2003 VA physician's opinion and consideration of new evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of the claims.

The veteran's claim for service connection of his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has ordered the RO to verify all periods of service, particularly reserve service and associated medical records. The veteran's claim for service connection for back disability will be remanded for further development.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's claimed conditions and his service, leading to denial of all service connection claims.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not found to be related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The Board determined that the disorders listed on the title page did not result from disease or injury in service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder, which includes traumatic arthritis and degenerative disc disease, warrants a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VCAA notice and an incomplete VA examination report. The veteran's claim is now pending with the RO.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability was found to warrant a 60 percent rating from February 15, 2002 onwards. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development of evidence, including providing VCAA notice. The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of fracture of the lumbar spine based on aggravation was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's combined nonservice-connected disability rating is 80%, and he does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his ability to dress, undress, feed himself, attend to the wants of nature, and protect himself from daily hazards without assistance.

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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and Social Security Administration records. The VA will determine if the veteran's current psychiatric, right knee, low back, left ear disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board finds that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain missing service medical records and personnel files, as well as a VA examination to assess her current low back disability and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic acquired low back disorder. The issue is now remanded for further review.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for the 20 percent evaluation of low back strain (superimposed on scoliosis of the spine) was granted. The effective date is set at September 24, 2001.