Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and mechanical low back pain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected disabilities. The appeal is now pending again with the RO.

The VA determined that the appellant's service-connected low back disability does not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation based on incapacitating episodes, chronic orthopedic and neurologic manifestations, or complete bony fixation (ankylosis) of the spine.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disorder and granted an increased rating for nonspecific folliculitis. The effective date is pending further development.

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 claimed as residuals of injury. The veteran's claim is now remanded to the RO for further consideration.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of heat exhaustion and a low back disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the failure to file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding his bilateral plantar fasciitis claim. The remaining claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to compliance issues with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and a need for additional development, including scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete records. The veteran seeks service connection for bilateral knee disability and lumbar spine disability, both of which are currently service-connected.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD and low back strain have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's low back disability is related to his military service and granted. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the right knee disability remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back and right shoulder conditions are not related to his service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, ankle arthritis, knee disability, and low back disability as secondary to a bilateral pes planus disability. The disabilities were not shown by competent evidence to be causally related to active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lumbar spine and left hip disorders are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing their onset during or within one year after military service.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left knee and a low back disorder, as well as his claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II. The RO also referred to the RO other issues related to secondary service connection.

The veteran's chronic low back disorder, including scoliosis of the lumbar spine, was not incurred in or aggravated by active Army service from January 1971 to January 1973. The Board found that his preexisting condition did not increase during service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing and issuance of a statement of the case regarding his claim for service connection for the residuals of frostbite.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for pelvic pain due to ovarian fibroids, low back disorder, cervical strain and bilateral knee disorders, as well as the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for post-traumatic headaches. The case is remanded for further development regarding Graves' disease with orbitopathy.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of low back strain and service connection for internal hemorrhoids are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and scheduling VA examinations. The appellant's claims for service connection for Guillain-Barre Syndrome and an increased rating for his low back disability will be reconsidered.