Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Veteran seeks service connection for a thoracic and lumbar spine disability, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the inadequacy of the November 2006 VA examination report.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on October 7, 2006 at Orlando Regional Healthcare System - Sand Lake Hospital was denied because the emergency treatment provided did not meet the criteria outlined in the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disorder and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are not related to his active service or his service-connected right knee disability. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and his claims for increased evaluations of lumbar myositis were also denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to establish a link between the claimed in-service stressors and current symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg disability and a right arm disability, finding that there is no competent evidence of these conditions during his military service or post-service. The claim for increased ratings for left knee disabilities remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected lower back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of this amount. The Board has determined that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of the Veteran's condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's lower back condition was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's low back and bilateral leg disorders were not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill. The additional disability was also not reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to obtain or retain employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service treatment records and outstanding medical records from various providers.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sinus disorder and a back disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for sinus disorder and concluding that there is insufficient medical evidence linking the current back disorder to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for mild lumbar spondylosis, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and scar of the back did not have their onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracic and lumbar spine osteopenia and compression fractures were not manifest in service and are unrelated to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a low back disorder is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to active duty service. The Veteran's claim for hearing loss is pending, as VA needs to obtain additional personnel records related to his Reserve status.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim. The appeal is now closed as the Veteran did not submit any additional evidence or request further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, cervical spine condition, and lumbar spine condition. The evidence does not support a finding of an undiagnosed illness or direct service connection.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 60 percent for the appellant's lumbar spine disability, effective since July 9, 2002. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and granted service connection based on evidence showing that his current lumbar disc disease is related to service, including injuries sustained in 1965 and 1991.