Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a back condition.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder with pain and numbness down both legs, as well as right foot disorder. The veteran's metatarsalgia of the left foot with osteotomy was rated at 10 percent disabling.,For Candida, the claim was granted but not increased to a higher rating before August 30, 2002. After that date, no increase in evaluation was granted.

The Board found the veteran not eligible for educational benefits under the VEAP due to his failure to make contributions. The veteran was also denied vocational rehabilitation services as he did not qualify as having an employment handicap.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his low back disability and hepatitis C.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication, including consideration of newly enacted rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to clarify the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical records and an opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's low back disability.

The Board has vacated and remanded the case due to procedural defects in notification under the VCAA. The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is now pending with the RO.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing VCAA notice. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is being reviewed, as well as his intertwined claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a low back disability or numbness and tingling of both knees. The veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain is manifested by marked limitation of forward flexion, warranting a 40 percent disability rating.

The veteran's appeals regarding the reduction of his osteomyelitis rating and the assignment of a higher disability rating for his low back disorder were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to new and material evidence submitted since the March 1996 denial.

The Board has granted a higher disability rating of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine. The claimant is also entitled to a compensable disability rating (40 percent) for his osteomyelitis L4-5.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cause of death was due to aplastic anemia, which is service-connected. The appellant is also granted Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a low back disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's asthma is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 100 percent due to his daily use of high dose corticosteroids and immuno-suppressive medications. Service connection for a chronic acquired low back disorder has been granted.

The Board has granted compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for chronic thoracic and lumbosacral laminectomy residuals and arteriovenous malformation excision residuals including incomplete L4-L5 paraplegia as incurred as a result of VA surgical treatment.