Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim for service connection for disc disease of the lumbar spine, but ultimately denied service connection on the merits.

The veteran's left knee and low back disorders preexisted military service but were aggravated by active duty, leading to the granting of service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the right shoulder claim, but additional development is required to address the merits of the underlying service connection claim. The low back claim was also remanded for further development.

The appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was withdrawn. The claim for a low back disorder was reopened and denied, while the claim for a seizure disorder was also denied.

The claim is remanded for a reexamination to determine if there are any associated objective neurological abnormalities in the lower extremities.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling of a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Houston, Texas VARO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and prostatitis conditions, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, left shoulder, right knee, and back disorders were denied. However, the claims for a right shoulder disorder, headaches, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and bilateral hearing loss were granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for restoration of a 60 percent evaluation for residuals of lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and residuals of thoracic strain, as it was determined that the reduction in his rating from 60 to 20 percent was proper.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a chronic infection of the ears, but denied service connection for dizziness, pulmonary disorder, low back disability, prostate disorder, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, increased rating for bilateral conjunctivitis, and compensable rating for bilateral pterygia.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the low back disorder effective from February 26, 2005.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chronic low back pain was remanded to the Board of Veterans' Appeals for further development and readjudication.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for a back disability and increased rating claim for PTSD for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence showing he has such a condition.

The veteran withdrew his appeal on the claims before the Board, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, bilateral tinnitus, right ankle disability, and cervical spine disability as there was no medical evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the veteran's military service.

The Board remands the claim for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disorder.

The appeal is remanded for additional development and compliance with the Board's previous remand order.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back strain, as new and material evidence was not presented.