Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, as there was no evidence establishing that his current back condition was related to an in-service injury or event.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause his death, nor contribute substantially or materially to cause his death.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to an injury in service, and thus service connection for residuals of a back injury, including sciatica and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to decide the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected fractured left clavicle.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a low back disorder that is related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral fusion, contracture of fascia left thigh vastus externus with spasm in relaxed position, and arthralgia and weakness of the left wrist. The RO will continue to rate these conditions under their current diagnostic codes.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current disabilities and his service, thus denying all claims for service connection.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine strain, finding that his disability did not meet criteria warranting a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and review of the claims file.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of the eyes, upper respiratory system, lymph system, or ovaries. The low back disability is also denied as service connection cannot be presumed due to lack of evidence within one year post-service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records. The issues of service connection for bilateral hip disability and back disability are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a nervous disorder and is therefore denied service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of a verified stressor. The low back disability is rated based on degenerative arthritis, but the veteran does not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, as well as his claim for service connection for a low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between any current disabilities and military service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current low back disorder to her military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The veteran's case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and a new examination to assess the impact of his service-connected lumbar spine disorder on his employability. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated after these issues are resolved.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a back disability and an earlier effective date for his PTSD rating.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar disc disease, central stenosis, and facet hypertrophy with spondylolysis. The veteran's hay fever was not aggravated by service, but his Brodie's cyst is considered to be related to a service-connected left ankle disorder. Service connection for the lumbar strain disability is also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability is service-connected due to degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine, which are causally related to active duty service.,The Board has also determined that the veteran's left shoulder impingement is service-connected as it is causally related to active duty service.

The veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The claims for service connection for PTSD, depression (secondary to lumbar spine disorder), and chronic sinus condition were also denied.