Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of verified inservice stressors and injuries, as well as current disabilities not being linked to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the appellant's peripheral neuropathy and thoracolumbar spine disability, but denied claims for higher initial evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar strain with radiating pain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of extra-schedular considerations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (GERD) was denied. The Board also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim for service connection for joint pain of the hips, low back, ankles, shoulder, and neck.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain and herpes simplex of the lips, but granted service connection for a dental disability for treatment purposes only.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that the new evidence submitted was not material and did not establish a nexus between the current condition and military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent, but the VA determined that these ratings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected low back disability and any associated neurological disability. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his low back disability was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was granted, and his claim for an increased disability rating for low back pain was also granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the scheduling of rescheduled examinations.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 60 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence did not show an exceptional or unusual disability picture with marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active service or any period of inactive duty training, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no medical evidence or opinion linking any current back disability to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his cervical spine disability and whether he has other neurologic abnormalities. The case will also be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, for extra-schedular consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, right knee disability, and reactive airway disease were granted with the assigned ratings.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his various medical conditions, including COPD, low back pain, neck pain, and memory impairment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, which was previously denied in December 1997.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his traumatic arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.