Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for heart disorder, back disorder (claimed as back problems), and PTSD. The appeal was also denied for residuals of head trauma, to include seizures.

The veteran's chronic headaches were determined to be service-connected, while his low back disability was not.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, and degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar from December 8, 2006.

The appeal is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) for scheduling a videoconference hearing.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence of a nexus between his claimed conditions and military service or aggravation of pre-existing conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability and a low back disability as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to the veteran's military service.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's back condition.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including an examination and readjudication of the service connection claim.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a left knee disability rated at 30%, a low back disability rated at 20%, and bilateral hearing loss rated at 10%, do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The appeal is remanded for a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder.

The veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, residuals of prostatectomy with urinary leakage, and postoperative hemorrhoids were all granted service connection. The ratings for the thoracolumbar spine disorder are now at their maximum allowed under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disorders, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The case is being remanded for further adjudication.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for low back condition (residuals of back strain) due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetic nephropathy and denied the other claims, including those related to a liver condition, back condition, and high cholesterol.

The veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran does not have a current low back disability that is related to service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The veteran's PTSD claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,His lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as spondylolisthesis, was not incurred in service and is unrelated to active military service.