Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board is remanding the case to determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability. The RO should also locate medical personnel who may have provided opinions regarding the relationship between the veteran's current condition and his inservice injuries.

The Board has remanded the case due to new legislation and additional development of medical evidence is required.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbosacral strain and arthritis do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of jurisdiction over the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen his claims.

The veteran's death was caused by anoxic encephalopathy due to or as a consequence of bypass and postoperative bleed, with ischemic heart disease listed as the underlying cause. The service-connected left knee disability is considered a contributory cause of his death.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability did not develop during service and is not related to his military service. The Court vacated this decision and remanded the matter, finding insufficient evidence on continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the July 1961 decision severing service connection for the veteran's low back condition was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus restoring service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current back disorder and concluded that the veteran's service treatment for a low back strain resolved without residual disability. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted increased ratings for PTSD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, with PTSD receiving a rating of 70 percent and the lumbar spine condition receiving a rating of 60 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and assigned a 40% disability evaluation, effective August 18, 1997. The veteran's pre-existing low back disorder was permanently aggravated during service.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial disability evaluation for low back strain with radiculitis is being remanded due to the need for a thorough VA examination and consideration of his complaints of pain, functional loss, and employment impact.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with arthritis should be restored to a 40 percent evaluation from November 1, 1994 through June 29, 1997.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability was not warranted earlier than March 7, 1995.

The veteran's service-connected left knee and lumbar spine disabilities have been increased to their maximum available ratings, with the left knee receiving a separate compensable evaluation for arthritis.

The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is found to be related to an injury sustained during service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for PTSD is more accurately characterized as a claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include dysthymic disorder and PTSD. The claims of service connection for bilateral shin splints with bone deterioration, lower back condition, and bilateral arthritis of the knees were denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and employment information.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, including residuals of spinal meningitis. The evidence submitted since the last denial did not provide new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Board has found that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability. The claim is now being remanded due to recent legislation requiring additional development and readjudication.

The Board has ordered a remand to provide another orthopedic examination and clarify whether the veteran's low back disorder originated in service.