Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

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

The Board denied the claim for revision or reversal of a May 31, 1985 rating decision that denied service connection for a low back condition due to a lack of clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spondylosis, left shoulder pain, and an increased rating for low back disability were denied. The claim to reopen a previously denied psychiatric disorder was not addressed in the decision.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome was remanded to the RO/AMC for a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorder, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and bilateral neuropathy of the hands, feet, and back. The initial rating for PTSD was also denied.

The veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative disc disease (DDD) of C5-C6, C6-C7 was denied by the RO and he appealed to the Board. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding no competent evidence linking his current condition to military service or his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral insufficiency with spondylolisthesis was remanded to obtain additional evidence and an updated VA examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain with partial laminectomy, L5 was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were not found to warrant ratings in excess of those currently assigned.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support the presence of a disability or sufficient severity to warrant higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine intervertebral disc disease and bipolar disorder as there was no evidence that these conditions were caused or aggravated during, or within one year of separation from, active service.

The claims for service connection for right shoulder, low back, cervical spine, and left hip disorders are being remanded to provide the veteran with proper notice regarding new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression, and increased ratings for her knee and back conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, a right hand and thumb injury, residuals of frozen feet, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a sleep disorder, a disability manifested by concentration problems, bilateral trench foot, and a prostate disability.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The veteran's discharge from his period of service was under dishonorable conditions, and he is barred from VA compensation benefits for that period. The claims for service connection for various disabilities were denied as there is no evidence to support a direct link between the claimed conditions and his active duty.

The veteran's recurrent low back pain did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board remands the appeal for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a hiatal hernia with GERD and a low back condition as there was no evidence of an in-service injury, disease or event that caused the conditions, nor any evidence that they were aggravated by military service.