Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, PTSD, and an initial compensable rating for his chest scar. The evidence did not support these claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, back injury, and exposure to CS gas were denied as there is no medical evidence of current disabilities.,There was no in-service stressor related to combat or personal assault documented by the veteran.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spondylolisthesis with arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a thorough evaluation of his current symptomatology and manifestations.

The Board found no current low back disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board found no evidence of a causal link between the veteran's current low back conditions and his service, including two in-service injuries. The veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's appeal of the claim for a rating higher than 40 percent for low back strain with degenerative disc disease has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in April 2007.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the current level of disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for his service-connected back condition with limitation in the range of motion remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee, low back, or right hand ligament disability as a result of service. The veteran's claims for these disabilities are therefore denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and information from Social Security Administration.

The veteran's claims for increased disability rating and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from VA facilities.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and therefore DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied.

The Board has ordered additional development of the veteran's claims for service connection for low back strain and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, including obtaining medical records from various providers.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of lumbar spine injury with compression deformity at L2 and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 warrant a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date service connection was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right leg disabilities, as well as his request for an increased rating for recurrent lumbar strain. The Board also found that he did not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners and the need for additional medical records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, digestive disorder, and hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between any current conditions and active duty service.

The veteran's fibromyalgia was not service-connected, but his lumbosacral strain with DDD resulted in a denied increased rating. The TDIU claim was granted.,The VA determined that the veteran's fibromyalgia is not related to his service-connected back disability and thus denied service connection for it.