Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that his condition was congenital and not aggravated by military service.

The veteran's lumbar muscle strain, with history of low back pain with narrowing of the L5-S1 intervertebral disc space and osteophyte, was granted a rating of 40 percent effective from November 25, 1998.

The veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder has been rated at 40 percent for the period from May 2, 2001, and higher evaluations have not been warranted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and an upper respiratory disorder, including sinusitis/allergic rhinitis, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service or any service-connected disability.

The appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's low back disability and an updated examination for his left knee disability.

The Board must again REMAND this appeal to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as low back strain with osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no competent and probative evidence to support a link between her current condition and military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected mechanical low back pain was remanded to provide the veteran with a VA examination and proper VCAA notice.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of a benign schwannoma, finding that the tumor had its onset during active duty service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right knee chondromalacia patella, and right hip tendonitis are being remanded to obtain additional evidence.

The claim for service connection for low back disability was denied, and the initial evaluation of migraine headaches was noncompensable.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition is being remanded to obtain additional information about his periods of active duty and to provide an examination.

The appeal was remanded to schedule the veteran for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a low back disorder, and arthritis of both hands as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, residuals of a right eye injury, and a sleep disorder. The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with stenosis, radiculopathy of each leg, PTSD, loss of the left great toenail, onychomycosis and tinea pedis, and COPD were not rated higher than their current levels.

The veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, and a respiratory condition, to include asbestosis, were denied. The veteran was also found not entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's mechanical low back pain.

The Board denied service connection for a groin disorder and low back disorder as there was no evidence of chronic conditions in service or continuity of symptoms since service, and the current disorders were not related to active duty.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded to obtain additional evidence.