Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for back disability and granted service connection for PTSD. The claims for hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, and anxiety neurosis are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to protect himself from daily environmental hazards, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim can be decided, including notification to the veteran of his rights under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's combined nonservice-connected disability rating is 70%, which does not meet the threshold requirement for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a back disorder and is granting it.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed low back disorder and the current severity of the veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent from October 16, 1996 to January 30, 2000 and later increased to 30 percent effective January 31, 2000.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a comprehensive orthopedic examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of the revised rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain in May 2003, finding that the correct facts were not before them and that the statutory provisions were correctly applied.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating under VA regulations. The Board has determined that there are no circumstances outside the norm that would justify a total disability rating based on unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records from service and determining if any diagnosed conditions are related to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability was incurred during service, specifically due to a helicopter accident in 1953. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and determined that new evidence supports a finding of service connection for his low back disorder. The condition is presumed to be related to an injury sustained during active duty.

The Board has granted the application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder and remanded it for further evidentiary development.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and additional development is required.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, stomach disorder, low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cellulitis and tinea barbae. The reasons are that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and arranging for VA examinations to assess the veteran's low back disorder and bilateral knee disability.

The Board finds that the VA has not fulfilled its duty to notify and assist in this case, particularly regarding the issues on appeal. The veteran's service medical records are missing, and there is a need for further examination and development of evidence related to his low back disorder.

The veteran's claim for pension benefits was received on April 16, 2001. The effective date for the grant of a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is set at April 16, 2001, the date of receipt of his claim.