Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any left knee, left ankle, or low back disability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for chronic lumbar strain, but further development is needed to determine if his current back disability is related to his military service.

The veteran's low back disability, characterized by degenerative disc disease and disc herniation at L3-L4, is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board has determined that the current rating of 40 percent is appropriate, as it represents the maximum schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Codes 5293.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability and denied it. The PTSD issue was remanded due to insufficient verification of claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that the current severity of the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine needs to be further evaluated due to unclear neurologic manifestations and incapacitation. The case is being REMANDED for additional examination and development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure the appellant receives proper notice under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and to obtain all relevant medical records. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has accepted the veteran's informal claim for compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a back disorder, and will now proceed with adjudicating this claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that it is not secondary to his service-connected shell fragment wound to the left shoulder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability and left lung injury are related to his active duty service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative joint diseases of the lumbosacral, cervical, and thoracic spines are currently rated at 20 percent each. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of regulatory revisions.

The Board has ordered further development for the claim of entitlement to an increased evaluation for a low back disorder, currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling. The case is now being remanded to the RO for initial consideration and readjudication.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening service connection for various disabilities, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to link these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his thoracic spine disability was denied. His application to reopen a claim of service connection for respiratory disability, including asthma and bronchitis, was granted. Service connection was established for degenerative disc disease at L5-L6 and L6-S1 as secondary to his service-connected thoracic spine disability. However, the veteran's cervical spine disability was not found to be related to or aggravated by his service-connected thoracic spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including consideration of revised criteria for spine disorders and issuance of a VCAA letter.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to incomplete VA records, inadequate VCAA notice, and the need for a VA examination.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including a left foot disability, low back disability, cervical spine disability, and residuals of a closed head injury. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain relevant medical records and provide the veteran with an examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back injury is being remanded to allow for a new VA examination and consideration of the case under both old and revised criteria for disabilities of the spine.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted. The issue is now before the Board to determine if service connection should be granted.