Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that new examinations are necessary to determine the current status of the veteran's service-connected disabilities, and further development is required in order to comply with VA's notification requirements under the VCAA.

The Board finds that there is a further VA duty to assist the veteran in developing evidence pertinent to his applications to reopen claims for service connection, particularly regarding his left knee, left hip, and low back disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of his claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to medical treatment provided at a VA facility from February 1973 to July 1973.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a fractured coccyx, finding that the fall causing this injury was due to his service-connected knee disabilities. The claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, effective December 1, 1998. The bilateral plantar fasciitis remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and the evaluation of residuals from a pilonidal cyst, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural issues and to obtain updated medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and requests for further examination.

The veteran seeks service connection for back disabilities. However, his service medical records are unavailable and presumed lost in a fire at the NPRC. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant treatment records from the Muskogee VAMC.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected chronic lumbar strain and right knee chondromalacia are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and evidence.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, finding that it more nearly approximates moderate knee disability. The back and left knee disabilities are not found to be related to the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated. This includes obtaining medical records, arranging for a VA examination to assess PTSD, and ensuring compliance with all requested development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA orthopedic examination and compliance with notice and duty to assist provisions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and left elbow disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for the left elbow disability. The back disability was determined to be unrelated to service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating from 20 percent for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need to consider both old and new criteria, as well as the need for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of amended rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder and entitlement to increased ratings for his left knee, right knee, and right thumb disabilities. The RO had previously denied these claims in October 1995.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a low back disability due to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, PTSD, bronchitis, low back disorder, and headaches as a result of exposure to herbicides. The reasons included lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or to exposure to herbicides.