Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board granted service connection for low back strain, finding that it originated during the Veteran's active duty.

The Veteran's postoperative residuals of a left knee injury are manifested by complaints of pain and episodes of locking, with objective findings of pain with motion, tenderness, joint effusion, mild crepitus, and use of a brace. There is no evidence of ankylosis, subluxation, or lateral instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or symptomatology related to his back and that his current condition is less likely than not associated with his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite residuals of the upper and lower extremities, a back disability, and left ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board denied the claims for an earlier effective date, service connection for the cause of death, and DIC benefits.

The Board remanded the case for additional development and adjudication, including obtaining records from Social Security Administration and VA Medical Center.

The Board finds that the veteran's current back disability is more likely than not due to in-service manifestations and grants service connection.

The appeal was remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a shortened right leg, a right hip disability, and the reopening of a previously-denied claim for a back disability.

The claim was dismissed due to the Veteran's failure to provide requested evidence or information within one year of request, which is necessary for a decision on the merits.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is rated as 20 percent disabling, and his degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's low back strain disability is increased to a 40 percent rating, as the evidence shows functional limitation of flexion to 20 degrees during flare-ups.

The appeal is remanded to schedule the Veteran for an orthopedic examination to determine if his service-connected low back disability prevents him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for an upper back disability and a left knee disability as there was no evidence of current disabilities. The claim for a low back disability was remanded for further development.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and DDD and arthritis of the lumbar spine, as no disability was shown in service or for many years thereafter, and there is no evidence to support that these disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, rectum injury, and hepatitis C as there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The claims for service connection for a low back condition, right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and eye condition were reopened based on new and material evidence but ultimately denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and headaches do not meet the criteria for evaluations in excess of 10 percent and 30 percent, respectively.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right ankle, and left ankle disorders were remanded. The Board denied an initial evaluation greater than 10 percent for left hip bursitis but granted a 20 percent evaluation for low back myofascial strain beginning March 30, 2006.

The Veteran's hypertension, bunion of the right and left great toes, bilateral hearing loss, heart disorder, cervical disorder, lumbar disorder, left shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral hip disorder, right knee disorder, and hepatitis B were denied.