Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, migraine headaches, an acquired psychiatric disability, and exercise-induced asthma due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by her military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease with joint disease of the lumbar spine as caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral calcaneal spurs. The issue of diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional service treatment records and a VA examination to determine if his current low back disability is related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cardiovascular disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. The evidence clearly showed that his pre-existing asthma existed prior to service and was not aggravated by active duty service. His cervical spine, lumbar spine, cardiovascular, and sleep disorders were not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's right elbow disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a chronic acquired right elbow disability during service and his symptoms were acute and transitory. Service connection for allergic rhinitis was granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have post-traumatic stress disorder and denied her claim for service connection. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding whether her pre-existing lumbar spine condition was aggravated during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back, right knee, and bilateral leg/foot disabilities are not related to her military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lumbar spine disability during active service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and neurologic manifestations of cervical radiculitis in the right upper extremity have been increased to 30 percent and 20 percent, respectively, effective April 16, 2001.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, resulting in a denial.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back problems, including lumbar strain and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, are likely due to an injury sustained during his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including arachnoid brain cysts, anemia, anxiety disorder, nerve damage, headaches, impaired speech patterns, angina pectoris, lumbar spinal stenosis, and stomach pain. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's time in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, specifically to combat experiences in Vietnam. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for readjudication of his claims due to additional evidence introduced into the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's left eye disability and low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, an ankle condition (swelling), hammer toes, and a bilateral foot disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was denied. The RO assigned a 20 percent evaluation effective October 6, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for deformative pelvis with separation of the pubic symphysis and left sacroiliac joint, finding that new and material evidence was not presented. The Board also denied the secondary service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as it is not related to a service-connected condition.