Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for each of the veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that her current range of motion and functional impairment warrant such an increase. The Board also found in favor of the veteran on her claim for secondary service connection for a low back disability due to her service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability was incurred during service and is granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the severity of the appellant's service-connected lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's claim for an increased initial rating in excess of 20 percent for low back syndrome. This includes obtaining medical records, arranging for a VA examination, and considering the most recent changes made to the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, consideration of relevant regulations changes, and obtaining missing medical records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further examination and development of his claim for a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected lumbar herniated nucleus pulposis, ankylosing, spondylitis, post-operative.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection for an eye disorder and a low back disorder. Therefore, both claims are denied.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, but he had been continuously rated as totally disabled for a period of at least ten years immediately preceding his death. As such, DIC benefits were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disability manifested by pain, finding that there is no current disability of the right leg other than his already service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic psychoneurotic anxiety reaction and service connection for a low back disorder. The claim for TDIU is deferred pending completion of development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disorder is not related to his service-connected left arm disabilities and thus denied service connection for a back disorder. The evaluations for the left radius fractures are also denied as they do not meet the criteria for increased ratings.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic upper back disability associated with service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and granted service connection for a back disorder, finding that the evidence is so significant it must be considered in order to fairly decide the merits of the claim.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). This includes obtaining additional evidence, ensuring proper notification, and arranging for VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claim for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's request for additional VA vocational rehabilitation services due to his refusal to cooperate with a needs assessment, which prevented an informed determination regarding his reentrance into a rehabilitation program.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and chronic low back strain, finding that these conditions are attributable to service. The veteran's right knee disorder and asthma claims will be remanded for further development.

The Board found that the reduction in the rating for the veteran's mechanical low back pain with scoliosis from 10 percent to noncompensably (zero percent) disabling was proper based on clear medical evidence showing slight subjective symptoms and no objective findings of any abnormality.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability, and he is now eligible to have his case reviewed on its merits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and information from SSA.