Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed low back disability, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD. The veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The VA found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings for his left thigh, lumbar spine, and right elbow conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, DJD of the right hip, and DJD of the left hip as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle disability and granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, but found no current evidence of a low back or vision disability. The veteran's claims are pending.

The veteran's skin disability, low back disability, and right knee disability were not found to be related to service. The claims for increased rating of major depression are also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain warrants a 10 percent disability evaluation, and his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee does not warrant an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and a low back disability, finding no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that could be linked to his conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation, TDIU, and service connection for paranoid schizophrenia are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from SSA.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current disabilities for the neck, headaches, foot, or back. Service connection was denied for all four conditions.

The veteran's multiple conditions are being remanded for a thorough VA examination to determine if they are related to his participation in Project SHAD, including exposure to toxic materials.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, as well as reopening of several previously denied claims. The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development and consideration.

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected condition, and the Board finds that none of his service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Board has decided that the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and low back disabilities need further review based on missing VA medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic low back strain with bulging discs at L3-L4 and L5-S1 as caused by service-connected disabilities, including right lower extremity injuries.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine or bipolar disorder that is attributable to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further adjudication due to a need for more specific notice regarding what evidence would be necessary to establish service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his service-connected low back pain and associated radiculopathy issues, including additional medical examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, as secondary to his service-connected disability and granted the claim.