Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-operative back disability is related to an injury sustained during active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of arthritis or other conditions related to service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between any current disabilities and service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a bilateral hip disability, and disabilities of the low back, upper spine, neck, and shoulders. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right thigh and knee disability is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a cold injury or degenerative changes of the lumbar spine due to service. The evidence is against these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C, dysthymia, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and low back pain. The claim for service connection of a back injury was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that additional VA and private medical records are needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection. The veteran is also required to provide information about any relevant treatment he received outside of VA.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine the relationship between his current low back and right knee disabilities and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his low back disorder and service connection for left leg numbness secondary to his low back disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that his current condition did not begin during service and was not caused by any incident of service.

The Board has determined that the service-connected low back disability was an underlying cause of the veteran's death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for discogenic disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic back disability following his alleged injury in service and that any current low back disability is not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and a back disorder, finding that his current conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and residuals of head trauma with dizziness and headaches, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. Service connection will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right wrist disorder or residuals of a low back injury, and therefore service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbosacral strain is already rated at the maximum assignable evaluation (40 percent) and does not meet criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found no evidence of a back injury during service and concluded that the veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, bilateral inguinal hernia, and increased ratings for the residuals of trauma to the larynx, right femur, and left first rib. The claims were also not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has denied all service connection claims, finding no evidence of a current disability related to the veteran's military service.

The veteran's Chapter 31 claim is being remanded due to a recent increase in his service-connected low back disability rating, which may impact eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services.