Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the veteran's service, and thus denied his claim for service connection for a bulging disc and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for low back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of whether a separate rating is warranted for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left shoulder, and low back disabilities due to the presumption that these conditions existed prior to service. The veteran's current complaints of pain do not constitute a disability warranting service connection.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder that he contends was caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities of flat feet and arthralgias of the bilateral ankles, knees, and hips. The Board has determined that further development is needed to address these issues.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations and clarification of medical opinions.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Waco, Texas Regional Office. The veteran's claims folder will be returned to the Board following completion of this action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and incomplete medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disorder and low back disorder secondary to service-connected pes planus, but denied service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and a need to clarify medical evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and fibromyalgia, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected back disability, finding no symptoms attributable to his service-connected condition that would warrant such an increase.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including cholelithiasis with cholescystectomy, nephrolithiasis and hyperuricemia, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The medical evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for back disorder, including as secondary to the service-connected residuals of chest injury. The veteran's scoliosis and lumbar spondylosis are found to be related to his service-connected chest injury.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic residuals of a coccyx contusion and other residuals of a low back injury, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board found that the veteran did not have bilateral hearing loss, a left shoulder disorder, or a low back disorder as a result of military service and denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran withdrew his appeal, requesting to be dismissed from the rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected low back disability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (hypertension, muscle spasms, and headaches) do not meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.