Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and support documentation from Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Soldier's Home in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, a neck disorder claimed as the residuals of a frozen head, and a foot disorder claimed as trench foot. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for the residuals of a right herniorrhaphy with tender and painful scarring was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and pelvic disorder are denied. The claim for an original compensable evaluation for thyroid disorder prior to December 31, 2003 is not granted. However, the claim for an original evaluation in excess of 10 percent for thyroid disorder since December 31, 2003 is granted.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current disabilities to his service, including multiple parachute jumps. The claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including a total abdominal hysterectomy, bladder disability, low back disability, hypertension, Raynaud's disease, hallux valgus of the right foot, and hemorrhoids. The RO is instructed to obtain additional medical records and review the claims on appeal, with particular attention given to the new rating criteria for spine conditions.

The Board has granted the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disability, as new and material evidence has been received.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected low back disorder, effective November 29, 2002. The veteran's claim was initially denied in April 2002 and subsequently increased to 20 percent by an August 2003 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete development of evidence. The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain is pending.

The Board has granted the application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine, and remanded the reopened claim for further evidentiary development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to deficiencies in the notification provided by the RO.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and other legal requirements.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted, but the assigned disability ratings are not as favorable as requested. The initial compensable ratings were denied in several cases.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that there is no current left hand disorder and denied the claim of service connection for a left hand disorder. The issue of service connection for PTSD was not resolved as it remains pending due to procedural confusion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the evidence, including verification of service dates and VA examinations. The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are pending.

The veteran's PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent evaluation. The evidence received since the October 1985 decision is new and material, reopening his claim for service connection of a back disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disorders as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed back, ankle, foot disabilities, as well as his bilateral hearing loss. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.