Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for back, bilateral hip, and right knee disabilities, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a bilateral ankle condition, pes planus, or back condition as a result of his service. The claims for arthritis of the spine and a bilateral knee condition were also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, a low back disability, and heart disease.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and new evidence. The case is now remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for cardiovascular, low back, and left leg disabilities due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for sinusitis, atypical chest pain, hypertension, a heart condition, goiter of the throat, and low back disorder due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of service connection for various conditions and a claim for an increased evaluation for the service-connected appendectomy scar.

The Board found that the May 1969 rating decision denying service connection for back disability was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, as all available evidence at that time supported the denial. The veteran's claim to reopen in March 2000 resulted in a grant of service connection with an effective date of March 23, 2000.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, status post discectomy at L5-S1 on the left.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is causally related to an in-service low back injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, but has remanded his claims for service connection of low back, shoulder and upper back/neck injuries due to lack of definitive medical nexus opinions.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being remanded to the RO for obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder, but the preponderance of the evidence is against the underlying claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left knee and low back disabilities are aggravated by service, specifically National Guard duty in May 1980. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disability and PTSD, as well as her claim for an increased rating for the residuals of a cholecystectomy.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The remaining claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis and lumbosacral strain must be remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee and back disorders are caused by his service-connected right knee disorder, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left retropatellar pain syndrome is related to his military service and grants service connection for this disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's umbilical hernia, back disorder, and bilateral foot disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are denied.