Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability was not related to his active service or any incident therein, and denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was denied, as the earliest possible effective date is the date of receipt of the claim to reopen.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected hypertension from September 18, 2003 to November 3, 2005, and 10 percent thereafter.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected lumbar disc disease and the propriety of reducing his rating from 60 percent to 40 percent are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for lower back and bilateral hip disabilities, as well as a compensable evaluation for residuals of bilateral stress fractures. The veteran was also informed that his claims for service connection for bilateral flat feet and nonservice-connected pension were being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction.

The veteran's initial ratings for thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, and residuals of left hand anatomical snuffbox occult fracture were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, anterior cruciate ligament strain of the right knee, and medial collateral ligament strain of the left knee as there was no evidence that these conditions were related to her military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected disabilities are being remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip, left ankle, left hand, left knee, back, and hemorrhoid disabilities as there was no evidence of currently diagnosed disorders.

The Board remands the veteran's claim for service connection of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine to obtain a supplemental medical opinion or another examination.

The appeal was dismissed due to the veteran's death.

The veteran's claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 40 percent for discogenic disease of the lumbar spine was remanded to obtain additional evidence and ensure compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board denied service connection for a variously diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including depression, paranoia, and psychosis; a low back disorder; a neck disorder; and numbness of the upper extremities as there was no competent evidence showing that these conditions were related to the veteran's military service.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to schedule a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, currently diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that it was aggravated during active duty and training.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen service connection for migraine headaches, fatigue and unexplained bouts of illness, lumbar strain, and skin rashes and knot on stomach due to undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative changes of the left shoulder, and a low back disorder were denied. The claim for an increased rating for a left shoulder scar was also denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to decide these benefits.

The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's lumbar spine disability.