Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a left hip condition or lower back disability, and thus the veteran's claims for service connection in these areas are denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's current back disorder is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, low back disability, and the initial rating for left wrist fracture with degenerative joint disease. The veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to post-service events.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to his withdrawal of appeals seeking increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities. The remaining issues, including service connection for gastrointestinal disability, tinnitus, low back disability, and right ankle disability, are now pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of lumbar disc disease, finding that the earliest possible effective date is October 19, 1998.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his low back and left knee disorders, as well as service connection for asthma, migraine headaches, and right maculopathy of the eye were granted. The effective date for these grants is September 8, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is not service-connected and his claim for TDIU based on his left ankle disability is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran submitted new and material evidence sufficient to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an additional VA examination and opinion.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to her military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is not related to his active duty service. The need for aid and attendance is attributed to multiple nonservice-connected conditions, including diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted, and special monthly compensation by reason of need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lack of medical evidence supporting his assertions.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to new evidence received since the last final denial, but the claim must be remanded for further development.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability or muscle spasms related to service and denied both claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VCAA notice and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his back condition. The initial increased rating claim for PTSD will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide a hearing before a Decision Review Officer (DRO). The veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) records and her request for a DRO hearing must be obtained.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, and bilateral leg pain as secondary to a lumbar spine condition. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his claimed back, bilateral foot, or left knee disorders. The evidence shows no in-service injury and no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims to reopen his previously denied service connection claims for left knee disability and lumbar sprain.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with history of recurrent lumbar strain, finding that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.