Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board is considering whether new evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of degenerative disc disease, L4-5 and L5-S1. The veteran argues that his current low back disorder is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a back disorder. The case is being remanded due to the need for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a herniated disc of the low back as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, finding that the evidence does not support this claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of a low back disorder and for a temporary total rating (TTR) under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 due to his low back disorder, as these issues are not legally warranted based on the facts found.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury (claimed as lumbar and cervical spine disorders) due to new medical evidence submitted since the 1984 rating decision. The claim is now considered for further review.

The Board has found that the claim is not well grounded and remanded for further development, including obtaining employment records and providing an examination to determine if a low back disability is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine, finding that it is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hip arthritis and/or postoperative synovitis of the right knee caused or aggravated (worsening of underlying condition) any low back disability that may be present, to include a status-post laminectomy of L4-L5, with arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, and left knee degenerative changes based on the opinion of a VA physician who reviewed the claims folder and remaining service medical records.

The Board has remanded the case to ensure full compliance with due process requirements and for a new videoconference hearing. The veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disorder and an evaluation higher than 40 percent for a low back disorder are pending.

The Board found that the veteran's back disability, diagnosed as chronic low back pain, was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is pending due to lack of VA examination completion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition. The Board also found that there is sufficient medical evidence linking the current lower back disability to the veteran's military service, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disability is more than likely secondary to his service-connected low back disability and grants this claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the January 1949 rating decision. The Board will now review whether there is sufficient evidence to establish that the current back disability is related to military service.

The veteran's attorney is eligible for payment of a 20% contingency fee from past-due benefits due to the grant of an increased initial evaluation and TDIU based on secondary service connection for his low back disorder.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence received since the January 1997 decision. The claim is now ready for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine at C5-C6, claimed as nerve problems in the neck is denied due to lack of evidence establishing a link between the disability and service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings on an extra-schedular basis and did not find evidence of a valid earlier effective date for TDIU.