Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a direct service connection for the Veteran's thoracic and lumbar spine disability. The medical opinion concluded that it was less likely than not that the Veteran had a service-connected thoracic or lumbar disorder as claimed, noting that there was no credible medical evidence of such conditions during active military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of epididymal orchitis and chronic tinea manuum, but denied service connection for other conditions. The Veteran is not shown to have a current disability manifested by hyperlipidemia.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar radiculopathy is granted and he is assigned a 20 percent rating for his residuals of compression fracture of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected right breast biopsy scar is not entitled to a compensable rating.,Service connection for depression has been granted, as the evidence indicates it was incurred during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to their severity and nature.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Disability records and determining eligibility for individual unemployability benefits.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, a back disorder, a dental disability, tinnitus, and a vision disability. The evidence submitted since the final decisions did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back disability, which he contends was caused by training exercises in service. The case has been remanded to determine if the Veteran's current back disability had its onset during service or if it existed prior to service and was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities may be attributable to in-service injuries, but a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and notification.

The Veteran's low back disorder was manifested by pain and limited motion prior to September 23, 2002. After that date, his condition continued with chronic pain but near total limitation of motion. The criteria for a higher rating were not met in either period.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent since October 29, 2008. The rating is based on the current range of motion and does not exceed the previously granted 10 percent prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a neurological examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and sinusitis, finding that there is no medical evidence to support these claims.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for low back disability and found that new evidence received since the last denial is sufficient to reopen the case. However, the Board determined that there is no medical evidence linking the current low back disability to service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional information and an examination regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability, including whether it is secondary to his service-connected leg length discrepancy.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of fractures of L1 and L2 of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his current lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and the need for a VA examination.