Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to be conducted by a physician with appropriate expertise, other than the one who examined the veteran in December 2004 and September 2008.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability as there was no evidence of a back disorder during service, and the current condition is not related to service.

The veteran's low back strain is granted service connection as it had its onset in service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypotension (claimed as vertigo), a low back disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The claim for psoriasis was granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and dental trauma are being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling of new VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for endochondroma, right 2nd metatarsal and service connection for a low back disorder. The claim to reopen for bilateral shin splints was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral sprain, claimed as a back disorder, and a heart disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen a claim for service connection for a back disability, as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board found that the veteran's forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was not restricted to 30 degrees or less, and there were no incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome. Therefore, an increased rating higher than 20 percent for the service-connected lumbar spine disability is denied.

The veteran's service-connected cervical degenerative disc disease is not shown to be more severe than the currently assigned 10 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for an abdominal disorder, a low back disorder, and bipolar disorder as there was no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current conditions and her military service.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain, now diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is rated at 20 percent effective October 21, 2003.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a bilateral arm condition, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the veteran's period of active military service.

The Board granted service connection for left knee disability and remanded the claims for right knee and back disabilities for further development.

The Board found that the evidence did not support entitlement to service connection for a low back disability.

The veteran's lumbar spine lordosis does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, but her chronic adjustment disorder warrants a 30 percent rating. No compensable rating is warranted for muscle tension headaches.

The veteran's PTSD was rated as 70 percent disabling, while the rating for DDD with osteoarthritis and mechanical low back pain remained at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence of a relationship between his claimed conditions and military service.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's current condition is related to his active military service.