Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the appellant's current upper and lower back disabilities were not related to any events or injuries in service, including an aircraft accident in 1943. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The appellant's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for further development under the revised criteria for rating intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and further analysis of the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left hip disorders.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar disability. The claim will be readjudicated after considering both old and amended versions of the Schedule for Rating Disabilities of the Spine.

The Board has determined that further action is required to comply with the VA's duty to assist in the development of the veteran's claim, including obtaining an examination and opinion addressing his contentions regarding his back disability.

The Board found that no timely appeal was received to the April 2000 rating decision reducing the veteran's disability rating from 60% to 20%. As a result, the effective date for the increased rating of 60% remains November 1, 2001.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of revised rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video teleconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board is remanding the case to verify the veteran's service dates, particularly any Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) or Inactive Duty Training (IADT) in 1986. The claim will be reconsidered with consideration of new and material evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the submission of additional evidence and a VA examination.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a back disability, which he claims was caused by an injury sustained during active duty. The RO has requested additional medical evidence to determine if the current condition is related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability, including low back strain and degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, was not incurred in active service. The medical evidence supports a conclusion that these conditions are more likely related to post-service injuries than to his time in service.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence. Service connection for a right hallux valgus deformity with bunion is established based on clear and unmistakable error in the July 1989 rating action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative lumbosacral disease is likely caused by his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing to address the veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability and right abdominal mass.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a pilonidal cyst and to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder. The examiner was requested to provide an opinion regarding whether any current pilonidal cyst is related to active service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected low back strain does not warrant a higher rating under the schedular criteria, as it did not meet the requirements for ankylosis or fracture residuals with a neck brace. The evidence indicated that much of the pain was attributable to non-service-connected conditions such as peripheral vascular disease and a compression fracture.

The veteran's low back strain resulted in severe limitation of motion, warranting a 40 percent rating from April 21, 2003. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete evidence and the need for verification of stressors. The veteran's claims for PTSD and a back disorder will be reconsidered after all necessary steps are taken.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for cerebral palsy and found new and material evidence. The issue of service connection for cervical and lumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylosis and neuropathy will be addressed in a separate remand.