Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and low back disability, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA medical examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to maintain gainful employment.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31 of Title 38 of the United States Code due to a lack of an employment handicap.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right leg disorder is service-connected, but his low back disorder cannot be linked to either his right leg disorder or any other service-connected condition. The claim for secondary service connection for the low back disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) by reason of needing regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria based on his medical conditions.

The veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred in July 2005 at a private hospital was granted. The treatment was deemed necessary due to an emergency condition and the VA facility was not feasibly available.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's degenerative disk disease is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, and a depressive disorder due to back disorders.,The VA examiner found no evidence of permanent increased severity or aggravation of the veteran's back condition during or as a result of service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for lumbar disc disease and post-operative lumbar laminectomy, finding new and material evidence. However, the Board concluded that there is no evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, concluding that the veteran's current condition did not stem from his military service.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and determine if there is a relationship between the veteran's current back disability and his service in May 1956.

The Board has determined that a rating of 40 percent is warranted for the veteran's service-connected mechanical back pain with degenerative disc disease, based on the severity and duration of his disability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of any current low back disability and whether it is related to service. The case will be returned for this purpose.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia. The decision is final as it was made in April 1984.

The veteran seeks service connection for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine. He contends that his in-service knee and shoulder conditions were early manifestations of his current back condition, and he also claims that his back disability is secondary to a service-connected patellofemoral syndrome of the bilateral knees.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to a hearing request from the veteran.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further VA examinations.

The veteran's cervical strain and low back strain are found to be related to his service. The claims for PTSD and loss of feeling in the legs were denied due to lack of new and material evidence, but the veteran's cervical strain and low back strain have been granted service connection.