Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed back and neck disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board is unable to determine whether the veteran's back condition is service-connected or if new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim. The decision on both issues is pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a mid-back disability and a left great toe disability, finding that there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA examinations and medical opinions, the Board finds no legal basis for establishing service connection as there is insufficient evidence linking any current back disorder to service or any other condition. The veteran's claims for secondary service connection for depression and right leg disorders are also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease at L4-5, status post laminectomy with discectomy and multiple level bone spurs is related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a separate disability manifested by special dietary needs, numbness, and limited physical abilities due to his service-connected GSW residuals. The claim for increased evaluations of the veteran's service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Board found no causal relationship between the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability and his claimed back disorder or moderate restrictive lung disease, thus denying both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current low back disorder is related to service. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim will be addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for diverticulitis but denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and provide the veteran with another opportunity to submit evidence. The claims for service connection for back and left shoulder disabilities will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The veteran's cervical strain with degenerative disc disease was manifested by a disability picture consistent with intervertebral disc syndrome that was no more than severely disabling with recurring attacks and intermittent relief for the period from April 16, 1992 to April 16, 1998.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, concluding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these disabilities are related to military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no current evidence of these disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing proper notice to the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran needs to provide new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection of residuals of a low back injury. The case is being remanded for proper notice.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain relevant records from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar warts in January 1981. The veteran's petition to reopen the claims for low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, and anxiety and depression was denied by the RO in August 2001. The RO found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these matters. The Board is considering all issues on a de novo basis as the previous decisions are final.