Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of hernia repair. The veteran underwent a hernia repair while in service and the separation examination noted an umbilical hernia repair scar.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to incomplete development and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for low back pain, finding new and material evidence. The claim is now reviewed on its merits.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the veteran's current back disability is related to service and, if so, whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left inguinal hernia.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no credible evidence of a nexus between his current low back disability and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and a need to obtain SSA documents related to the veteran's disability benefits claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back condition is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral osteochondritis of the talus, traumatic arthritis of both ankles, post operative left medial malleolus osteotomy. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disorder or skin disorder in service and concluded that the veteran's current conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder and pancreatitis were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a back disorder, finding that the new evidence submitted was not material and did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability and service connection for neck pain and upper back pain, claimed as a back condition were denied. The denial is based on the lack of current evidence of a back condition.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions is February 19, 1963.

The veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no pending issues for the Board to decide.

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation due to a joint motion, and the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status must be determined.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding medical records and missed VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing lumbar spine disability was permanently aggravated during service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The cervical spine disability is not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an abscess, claimed as an infection; hole in the stomach as a result of treatment received from a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center/facility (VAMC). Service connection was also denied for a heart disability.,The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current low back and heart disabilities to service. The examiner noted that the veteran's current low back pain began approximately eight or nine years ago following a work-related injury, while his heart disability had no clear link to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have viral meningitis, encephalitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic disability involving memory loss, a chronic disability involving muscle weakness, or asbestosis. The veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and a low back disability, finding no evidence of current disabilities or causation in service.