Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder as there was no competent medical evidence showing they were related to the veteran's active military service.

The veteran's back condition was determined to be causally related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative changes at the glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joints, right, with radiculopathy, and degenerative disc disease with reversal of normal lordosis, cervical spine, with headaches were denied higher ratings.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, right knee, low back, and right shoulder disorders to obtain additional evidence, including service medical records.

The veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and higher initial rating were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increase in disability ratings.

The veteran's claims were dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was remanded for an additional hearing.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disorder and a left shoulder disorder, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The appeal is remanded for further development and an adequate VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of the veteran's reported body aches.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and hemorrhoids as the evidence did not demonstrate that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the veteran's service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, finding that the veteran's current low back disability was not caused by or related to his active duty service.

The veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, gouty arthritis, and hypertension were denied higher ratings during the specified periods.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, a chronic left elbow disability, a chronic low back disability, and residuals of a neck injury as there is no competent medical evidence relating any current disabilities to the veteran's active service.

The veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is not shown to be more severe than currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease is manifested by no more than 45 degrees of limited forward flexion and functional impairment due to pain, with no objective findings of incapacitating episodes or neurological impairment. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent are not met.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing low back disorder was not aggravated by active service.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 40 percent, but he is granted separate 10 percent evaluations for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy from December 12, 2005.

The Board remands the claims for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's low back disorder and psychiatric condition are related to his active service.

The appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for a low back disorder was denied due to the lack of new and material evidence.