Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for PTSD and lumbosacral strain, as well as the claim for TDIU due to inadequate reasons and bases in the December 2002 decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability, finding that her current left patello-femoral syndrome was not caused or aggravated by her service-connected left knee disability. The initial rating for left patello-femoral syndrome remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain, L4-L5 discogenic disease and bulging disc and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination.

The Board has found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability. The veteran's current diagnoses include degenerative disc disease, thoracic spondylosis without myelopathy, and chronic low back pain secondary to trauma.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a low back disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his case.

The Board has granted service connection for a seizure disorder and assigned a 100 percent rating for PTSD. The remaining issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, shoulders, and knees, and for prostatitis, and entitlement to a higher initial rating for Hepatitis C rated zero percent disabling are REMANDED.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current L4-L5 degenerative disc disease is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's PTSD and other disabilities render him unemployable, warranting a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes. Service connection for PTSD is granted based on new evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, which was previously denied in February 1996. The case is remanded for further development.

The VA determined that the veteran's claimed degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with history of injury is not related to his active military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current back disability and right ear hearing loss are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such disabilities during or within one year after service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed back and right knee disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disorder and a left hip disorder, claimed as secondary to the back disorder, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's low back disorder. The case is now being sent for additional examination and evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service medical and personnel records and scheduling a VA orthopedic examination.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine and right hip osteoarthritis, finding that these conditions are as likely as not due to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 based on entitlement to a total disability rating for a continuous period of at least 10 years prior to death, finding that the veteran did not meet the criteria as his service-connected disabilities were rated less than totally disabling and he was not in receipt of compensation due solely to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a VA decision concerning the issue of service connection, disability evaluation, or effective date.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was granted effective September 23, 1999. The Board found that the evidence prior to this date did not meet the percentage requirements for TDIU but determined that due to his service-connected disabilities and unemployment, he is unemployable.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition due to new evidence submitted since the last denial in December 1995.