Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, right knee meniscus tear, and bilateral anterior lenticonus as the evidence did not support a link to service.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 24, 2003, or for a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for asthma and lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current severity of her conditions.

The claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder was reopened as new and material evidence was received, but the veteran is not currently diagnosed with a low back disorder.

The Board remands the case for a VA orthopedic examination to determine if the veteran currently has a low back disability and whether it is related to an in-service sports injury.

The appeal is remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction for further development and readjudication.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and cervical spine degenerative joint disease, but denied reopening the claim for an acquired nervous disorder. The claim for cerebral aneurysms was also reopened.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability, hypertension, and coronary artery disease to schedule VA examinations.

The veteran does not have PTSD, and therefore service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for allergies and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine to obtain additional medical evidence regarding their etiology.

The veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10% for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and a compensable rating for residual scrotal vasectomy scars are being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability and PTSD, but found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain, discogenic disease.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD, bilateral tinnitus, cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss, and service connection for hypertension and post concussion syndrome with headaches and short term memory loss were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, as there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder as there was no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a back disability, are being remanded to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back injury with degenerative disc disease, as there was no evidence of a back disorder during service or within one year after separation and no credible evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The veteran's low back disorder was not related to service or his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination of the spine and review of records from Dr. Preston Bowes.