Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of an injury to the low back, including L4-5 disc herniation, finding that these conditions are proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury.

The Board found that the veteran's spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine did not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating higher than 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his cervical spine, lumbar spine, and hiatal hernia disabilities have been denied. The RO has determined that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation for any of these conditions.

The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including verification of service records and obtaining medical treatment records. The RO will then readjudicate the claims for a higher disability rating for low back disability and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted an increased rating for PTSD and has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for back and right shoulder disabilities, finding new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder is well grounded. The anxiety disorder, however, does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, finding that his claims were not well-grounded and thus did not meet the initial burden of proof.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, an eye condition, and ear conditions were not well-grounded due to lack of competent evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and employment information.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 70 percent disability rating, effective from December 1996. The veteran's PTSD is characterized by severe, periodic acute exacerbations with panic disorder, agoraphobia, and depression resulting in unemployability.

The Board has determined that further evidentiary development is needed, including determining the nature of the veteran's cattle farming operation and obtaining additional evidence regarding his service-connected disabilities. The claims for increased evaluations for coronary artery disease with hypertension and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine will be addressed separately.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's degenerative spondyloarthrosis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the veteran's service-connected low back pain with history of strain and psychogenic pain disorder, considering functional loss due to pain and other relevant factors.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the cervical spine and found that a higher rating is warranted for lumbosacral disc disease with sciatica. The effective date remains to be determined.

The Board has denied the claim as the service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to the veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder and determined that it is well grounded. The case will be remanded for further development.

The veteran has withdrawn their appeal, citing no specific issues or conditions for further consideration.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for a full and complete compensation and pension examination that discusses the etiology of the veteran's back disorder.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her lumbosacral strain and gastroenteritis. Service connection claims are also pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, low back disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder. The decision is final as it was previously denied in November 1990.