Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on new evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The RO found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied gastrointestinal disability claim, and the denial of hepatitis was final.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability. The appellant's pre-service history of low back problems due to a congenital shortening of the left lower extremity, combined with possible aggravation during service, supported the reopening of the claim.

The veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is presumed to have been incurred in service. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for headaches and the evaluation of low back disability are granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, claimed as low back pain with left hip pain and numbness, is being remanded due to a need to inform him that evidence showing his current diagnosis has been ongoing since service is needed.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were manifested primarily by significant daily lumbar stiffness, tenderness, and pain as of September 23, 2002. The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for these conditions before that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, earaches, back disorder, fatigue, memory loss, joint pain, nervousness and dreams, weakness, skin rashes, chest pain, blurred vision, neck stiffness, and sinus symptoms as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected low back disorder and denied the veteran's claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of Army Reserve service and obtaining related medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder, finding that there is no medical evidence to link his current disability to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for back disability due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claim will be further adjudicated on its merits.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbosacral spine and his claim for a total rating for individual unemployability due to service-connected disability. The case will be remanded to obtain relevant medical records, arrange for an appropriate VA examination, and review the claims file to ensure compliance with all VCAA requirements.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic low back disability must be remanded due to incomplete notification and development of his claims, including obtaining additional medical records from various facilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and other issues.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current low back disability was incurred during service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for service connection of depression is pending as a separate issue.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his right hand infection residuals are also rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, loss of bladder control, and otitis externa. The veteran's claims were based on direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining clarification of the VA examiner's opinion and considering new evidence.

Throughout the appellate period, lumbosacral strain has been manifested by complaints of non-radiating pain with exertion and no more than slight limitation of motion; muscle spasm on extreme forward bending or loss of lateral spine motion, unilateral, in a standing position has not been shown. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain are not met.