Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen them.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a back condition, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back injury, finding that the new evidence submitted since the last denial was not material.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining service medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present back disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of clear and unmistakable error in rating decisions related to his low back disability and psychiatric disability. The veteran argued that service connection should have been granted for low back disability due to a back injury in service, and that his psychiatric disability should have been rated as PTSD. However, the Board found no evidence of clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed degenerative changes of the lumbar spine were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for PTSD requires further development to verify claimed stressors and participation in combat with the enemy.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the veteran's current back disorder is related to his service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current back disorder, including arthritis, was incurred in active military service and granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disorder, finding that the new evidence submitted did not bear directly and substantially on the issue.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and herniated disc at L5-S1 is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Board has determined that a higher 40 percent rating is warranted based on more severe symptoms. The pseudofolliculitis barbae of the face and neck is currently rated as noncompensably disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence supports a direct link to active service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected mechanical low back pain with left leg cramping was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and determine if an extraschedular evaluation is warranted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a right leg tibial stress fracture, right hip pain secondary to a right leg injury, and low back pain. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the left knee is granted. The other issues are pending and will be addressed in a future remand.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder. The appeal is granted.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, which is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The veteran's kidney stones are currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the possibility of additional relevant service medical records, particularly from his reserve duty.

The Board has determined that the appellant's low back disability was first manifested during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee, right hip, right calf, and low back disabilities claimed as secondary to his service connected right foot disorder due to a lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and his service-connected right cuboid fracture.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.