Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection, including as due to ionizing radiation exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, hypertension (presumed to be related to diabetes mellitus), and depression. The veteran's claims were not granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluation of mechanical low back pain and service connection for multiple joint pain. The veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule, and there was no evidence to support service connection for multiple joint pain.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for low back disorder was denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen it. For bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, the Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The low back disorder was not found to warrant a higher rating, and the bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder was also denied as it is less likely than not related to his service-connected low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination regarding service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and hearing.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD and bilateral knee problems, result in the loss of use of both lower extremities. He qualifies for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing but not for special home adaptations.

The Board has denied the veteran's attempts to reopen his claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral pes planus due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's low back condition and its relation to service. The claim will be reviewed again with a focus on obtaining any missing medical records, including those from a private physician in Massachusetts.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder as secondary to the veteran's left knee disability.,For the period prior to January 20, 2005, the veteran was granted an increased rating of 30 percent for traumatic arthritis of the left knee. The rating remained at 30 percent from January 20, 2005 to May 26, 2007 and then increased to a maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent on and after May 26, 2007.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine spondylolisthesis of L5-S1. The Board has ordered further development, including a VA examination and updated treatment records, to determine the current severity of the disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and medical opinion to determine if the veteran's low back disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of any back disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein.

The Board denied all of the veteran's service connection claims, including diabetes mellitus, back disability, allergies, hepatitis, hemorrhoids, and epilepsy.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for diabetes mellitus or back disability.