Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for back and left knee disorders, finding new and material evidence. However, the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for left hip, left knee, and varicose veins disorders. The claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine disability was granted to 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete service records and lack of verification for claimed stressors. The veteran is asked to provide more specific information about his alleged stressful events, including dates and full names of involved parties.

The Board has granted the veteran's applications to reopen his claims of service connection for a back disorder and bilateral leg neuropathy. The RO will be directed to attempt to obtain medical records from Drs. C.B. and R.B.

The veteran's low back disability is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection of a low back disability and granted it, based on new medical evidence that supports the veteran's contention that his current condition originated during military service.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration under the revised rating criteria.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical examinations and opinions regarding her service-connected lumbar strain and costochondritis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left hip disorder warrants a 70% rating, and his lumbar spine disorder warrants a 40% rating.

The Board denied service connection for neck and back disorders, granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected residuals of a right sternoclavicular joint injury, and denied a compensable rating for the service-connected residuals of a left sternoclavicular joint injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and clarification due to ambiguity in the evidence regarding whether the veteran's conditions were present before service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the case for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date than January 12, 2000.

The Board is unable to determine the outcome of the appeal as it involves both service connection and a claim for new and material evidence. The veteran's back disorder claim remains pending, but there are also issues regarding whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this previously denied claim.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's L2-L3 fracture of the lumbosacral spine, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the July 1998 decision.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disorder is not causally related to his active service, including treatment for low back problems during service. As a result, the claim of service connection for a low back disorder was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diagnosed conditions for which service connection can be granted, including cold injury residuals of the hands and feet, a back disorder, an ankle disorder, headaches, or a skin disorder. The claims are denied.

The Board determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or due to housebound status.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the January 1991 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the petitions to reopen claims of service connection for a back disorder, left arm and elbow disorder, and bipolar disorder.

The Board denied a total disability compensation rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, and did not find clear and unmistakable error in this decision.