Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for lumbar strain and a hand disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current chronic lumbosacral strain was neither incurred in, nor aggravated by, his service. The Board also determined that it was less likely than not secondary to a service-connected disability (patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete compliance with previous remand orders.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine was initially rated at 20 percent prior to April 15, 2008. After further development and a remand by the Board, his rating was increased to 40 percent effective from April 15, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder did not manifest during service and is not related to any in-service injury, including a contended fall. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a back disorder and a respiratory disorder, but denied the remaining issues. The Veteran's representative withdrew appeals on kidney and heart disorders.

The Veteran's residuals of a herniated disc of the lumbar spine have been rated at 40 percent since April 11, 2005. The rating is based on partial favorable ankylosis of the lumbar spine with severe limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and other procedural requirements.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Appellant's lumbar disorder.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for chronic sinusitis was granted, and he was awarded service connection for depression and sleep apnea (claimed as sleep problems) due to an undiagnosed illness related to his Gulf War service. The low back disorder claim is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right wrist strain, left wrist strain, and low back strain are related to his service. The evidence shows that he was treated for these conditions in service and diagnosed with them after service.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's death to his prescribed medication, Prednisone. Therefore, the cause of death was not deemed service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a back disability, finding that there was no competent evidence of an in-service stressor or a link between current symptoms and active service.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for thoracic spine strain since July 19, 2007. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing back disability did not become chronically worsened or aggravated during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and notification regarding the need to provide evidence of worsening or increase in severity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for various conditions are under review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service and denied service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for arthritis of bilateral legs and feet are remanded due to new evidence received after the SOC.