Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, thoracic spine, and right hip disorders are related to her active duty service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal on the issue of service connection for a low back disability secondary to left leg vascular disability due to withdrawal by the appellant. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a vascular disability of the left leg is denied, and the claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a back disability, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The right shoulder disability claim is pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that her current back disorder is related to her military service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease prior to September 19, 2005 was granted. For the period on and after September 19, 2005, a higher than 20 percent rating was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist condition, lumbar disorder, and sinusitis due to lack of current medical evidence of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence to warrant reopening of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and a rating higher than 30 percent for right inguinal hernia, finding that these conditions are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have current back or neck disabilities that are related to his military service.,Hemorrhoids were noted at the time of enlistment, but there is no evidence they worsened during service.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and consideration of the evidence.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the withholding of compensation benefits to recoup the amount of separation pay received by the veteran at the time of his discharge from active military service was proper.

The Board has denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, and back disabilities due to a lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, right ankle disorder, and calluses of the feet. The veteran's pre-existing calluses were not aggravated by active service.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there is medical evidence relating the current disability to an in-service injury.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including those related to herbicide exposure, were denied. The effective dates for some of the conditions and ratings are established but not earlier than specified.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for low back strain and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between his in-service injury and current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current back disorder or shoulder condition and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The preponderance of the evidence is against granting service connection for either condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, peripheral vascular disease, bursitis of multiple joints, and increased disability ratings for his right shoulder and left foot disabilities. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and earlier effective date for his low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.