Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The case is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the veteran's service-connected recurrent low back strain with thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for low back disability and residuals of a torn ligament of the left foot and fractured left ankle.

The veteran's pre-existing right knee disability was not aggravated by military service, and a low back disability is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for a low back disability to include degenerative disc disease on the merits, finding that the current low back disability was unrelated to an injury, disease, or event during service.

The case was remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling the veteran for VA examinations to determine the current severity of his lumbar spine disability.

The veteran's lumbar scoliosis with thoracic degenerative joint disease was denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle and low back disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation under applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection for back disorder to locate missing service medical records from the veteran's first period of service (April 1977 to May 1987) and to obtain a VA examination addressing whether a 1980 fall in service caused a healed fracture and current back problems.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The case is being remanded for the RO to provide a fully compliant VCAA notification letter and readjudicate the claim with consideration of the appropriate rating criteria.

The veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease with minimal bulge, L2-S1, and intermittent right radiculitis was denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The veteran's low back disability did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent prior to May 12, 2006, and did not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent from that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury, finding no causal link between his current lumbar osteoarthritis and any incident in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right, left knee conditions and low back condition as there was no competent medical evidence of a nexus between these current disabilities and his active duty service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a low back disability, a hip disability, a knee disability, or a right leg disability, that were caused or aggravated by his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board denied service connection for post-operative residuals of a herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine and found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for left elbow disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder was remanded so that he could have a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and a separate compensable evaluation for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine if degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is related to service, specifically group C meningococcal meningitis and lumbar puncture.