Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, claimed as secondary to his service-connected right leg fracture, requires additional development. This includes obtaining medical records from private providers and VA examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, depression, and a shoulder condition. The claim of whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for plantar wart, left foot, is dismissed due to withdrawal by the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for the veteran's low back disorder, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under the old criteria. The current rating of 40 percent is considered appropriate based on severe limitation of motion and pain.

The Board found that the appellant's preexisting thyroid disorder was not aggravated by her military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been denied. His lumbar strain and dysthymia have been granted with current ratings of 20% and 30%, respectively, but he is seeking higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and a need to obtain SSA decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an unclear VA examination, and the veteran is entitled to have the new evidence considered first by the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease/degenerative joint disease, lumbosacral spine warrants a disability rating of 40 percent effective June 30, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking the current low back condition to his active duty or any other relevant exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently does not have a psychiatric disorder, right foot disability, or low back strain due to service. The Board found that any current disabilities are unrelated to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pronounced degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine warrants a 60 percent rating, which is the maximum available under the pre-September 23, 2002 criteria for Code 5293.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back injury and related neurological impairment of the legs with loss of use are supported by medical evidence, warranting a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left shoulder and low back disabilities are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing the veteran with a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence, but did not address the merits of these claims as they were decided on the basis of direct service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected low back disorder was denied by the RO in May 2002.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for back disability and remanded it for further development. The claims of service connection for hypertension and renal disability are also being remanded.

The Board found that the veteran's appeal was untimely and dismissed it, as his substantive appeal was received over a year after the initial denial of service connection for a back disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar disc disease warranted a rating of 60 percent, which was the maximum schedular rating available. The case does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture.