Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims to reopen service connection for multiple sclerosis, cervical strain, and low back strain were denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board granted service connection for major depression but denied service connection for a personality disorder.

The Board remands the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a lumbar spine disability, finding that the veteran's conditions preexisted her service and were not aggravated during it.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to the veteran's military service.

The veteran's central disc bulge at L5-S1 with low back pain and ovarian cysts with pelvic pain were each granted a disability rating of 30 percent. The claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, asthma, hair loss, left foot injury, psychiatric disability, and headaches were denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened and granted, while the other claims were denied.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left knee disability, right knee disability, and left hip disability as secondary to pes planus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder as there was no evidence of chronic low back disorder in service or within one year after discharge, and no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The veteran's right total knee arthroplasty residuals and right thigh gunshot wound residuals with Muscle Group XIII injury were granted increased evaluations to 60 percent and 40 percent, respectively. The lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease was denied an increase in evaluation.

The veteran's current low back condition was not related to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and diabetes mellitus, but granted an initial 20 percent evaluation for chondromalacia of the left knee.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbago, low back pain, and a herniated disc, as well as an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for depressive disorder NOS, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral chest scars, and an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it was at least as likely as not related to an incident during active service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder was remanded to obtain additional evidence and schedule a new VA examination.

The appeal is remanded for a VA medical examination to determine the etiology of any low back disorder found.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for PTSD prior to June 22, 2006, and denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent since that date. The claim for service connection for a back disorder was remanded.

The appeal is remanded for a reevaluation due to recent lumbar surgery.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for PTSD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine to allow for additional development, including verification of claimed in-service stressors and a VA examination.