Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, finding that he did not have an employment handicap and thus did not meet the criteria for basic entitlement.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition and concluding that any current conditions are not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, allergies, eye disability, right foot disability, and low back injury. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left thigh numbness and low back disability, finding that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of lumbar spine degenerative disc disease at L4-L5, effective August 14, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection in multiple instances, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claim of chronic paranoid disorder with seizures. The other service connection claims were also denied.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of residuals of a left knee injury, bilateral shin splints, right ankle sprain, low back pain, or bilateral hearing loss. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with a VA examination to determine if his current back disability is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that the veteran's reported symptoms started during his period of active duty. The other claims were denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected cervical spine condition and low back strain were denied by the RO, as both conditions are currently rated at their maximum allowable under current VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder as secondary to the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with degenerative joint disease. The rating for the service-connected bilateral pes planus with degenerative joint disease remains at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's current low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, or memory loss to service. As such, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's spinal cord injury and related conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied her claims for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disorder is being remanded due to unclear findings regarding neurologic abnormalities and the need for further examination.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain treatment records from various healthcare providers for the veteran's conditions, including low back strain and dermatitis. The case is now remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from St. Francis Medical Center, Great Lakes Naval Hospital, and Hines VA Medical Center.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claim for a back disorder and for an increased rating for his right knee disorder. The evidence submitted since the last final denial did not meet the criteria to reopen the claim, and the current ratings were found to be appropriate.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 60 percent, and he meets the threshold requirements for a total rating based on individual unemployability as of February 1999. The veteran has been found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.