Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim to reopen for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional notice and development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records. The veteran is seeking service connection for a right ankle disorder and a back disorder, which he claims are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lumbar spine disability and lung cancer are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spondylolisthesis from April 16, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, which was present during her period of active duty in 2004, is incurred in active air service and granted service connection.

The Board is remanding the case to provide a revised duty-to-assist notice regarding the request to reopen claims for service connection for back and left ankle disorders, considering any additional evidence received since the last SSOC.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a back disorder, finding that the disorders were not incurred in or related to service. The decision is considered correct based on the evidence at the time.

The veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his back disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating than the current 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The VA examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on whether the current back disorder is more likely than not related to any in-service event, including a pre-service fracture.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from engaging in employment consistent with his education and occupational experience prior to March 24, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate consideration of new evidence and lay testimony.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder is rated at 10 percent, effective from August 1, 2003. The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and allergic rhinitis due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a neck disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a cervical spine disorder in service or within one year after separation from active duty. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to establish a relationship between any inservice incidents and the development of the current condition.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current chronic low back or right knee disability, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his claimed conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that service connection for a lower back disability is granted, but the claims for left knee, right knee, and left hip disabilities are denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities, finding new and material evidence. The examiner is to determine if these conditions are related to service.