Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to procedural issues, including a need for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing low back disorder was aggravated by service, and thus, service connection for lumbosacral strain is granted.

The veteran's neurodermatitis is likely attributable to his military service and the Board finds that service connection is warranted for this condition. The claim of increased rating for residuals of a back injury and degenerative changes in the lumbar spine with right L4 radiculitis remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder, to include a herniated intervertebral disc, did not originate in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic acquired low back disorder is proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected right lower extremity disabilities.

The veteran's case is being remanded to the RO for rescheduling a Travel Board hearing due to his failure to appear for the previously scheduled hearing.

The Board found that the appellant's lumbosacral strain did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent, as it did not cause limitation of forward flexion to 60 degrees or combined range of motion to 120 degrees.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for examinations and the retrieval of Social Security Administration records.

The Board granted service connection for myofascial syndrome of the lumbar spine with a 10% evaluation effective from June 30, 1997. The veteran appealed this decision seeking an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection for various ankle and knee disorders.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder and granted it. The veteran's right knee disorder, including as secondary to a low back disorder, is also considered. However, there was no specific rating assigned or effective date provided.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a 10 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of reopening the previously denied claims for Meniere's disease and a back disorder are remanded to the RO.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities within one year prior to November 2, 2000. Therefore, an earlier effective date for TDIU is not warranted.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal of the appeal by the appellant's representative prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder is not related to his period of active duty service and denied his claim for service connection. The sinus disorder was also not related to his military service, as there is no evidence linking it to his time in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added to the record and not yet considered by the RO. The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder will be reconsidered in light of this additional evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right and left ankle disabilities. The claim for an increased rating for chronic pain disorder with major depression was denied as there was no evidence showing it met the criteria for a 70% rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbosacral spine disability was granted, with a current rating of 50 percent effective April 10, 2000.