Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostatitis and a right arm disability were denied, as there was no evidence of current conditions. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and other related issues, is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic neck disorder, back disorder, bilateral wrist disorder, and bilateral knee disorder as there was no evidence of these conditions during active service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board denied the application to reopen a claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a bilateral great toe disorder and a low back disorder.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions as there was no evidence to support a link between any of these conditions and the Veteran's period of active military service.

The Board remands the case for a VA examination and to obtain outstanding medical records.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for his chronic lumbar and thoracic spine sprain, effective April 4, 2006. The initial rating of 10 percent was not supported by the evidence prior to that date.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board remands the case for initial review and consideration of additional evidence by the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease without radiculopathy was increased to 20 percent disabling effective June 27, 2008.

The Veteran's lumbar disc disease with lumbar strain does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent based on the current level of disability.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between the Veteran's back disability and his military service, denying service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, low back, right hip, and left hip disorders as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected traumatic degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine with congenital spina bifida occulta is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with fusion was denied a higher rating, both before and after January 30, 2007.

The Board found that the appellant's lumbar spine disability preexisted his active service and was not aggravated by it.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disability as the medical evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's applications to reopen claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, varicose veins of both lower extremities, right shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the issues on appeal.