Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a lower back condition.

The Veteran's applications for Service Disabled Veterans life insurance (RH) were denied because they were not filed within the two-year period required by law, and there is no exception based on incompetency or otherwise.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and assigned an initial noncompensable disability rating. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is found to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle Achilles tendonitis and low back disability were denied. The Veteran was also denied increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disease, GERD with irritable bowel syndrome, and headaches.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination and consideration of all evidence, including lay statements.

The Veteran's increased evaluation claim for lumbar spine disability was denied. The issues of an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for cervical spine disability and entitlement to an effective date earlier than February 26, 2001, for service connection were also addressed but are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his service, and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, and he is entitled to a 20 percent evaluation for his left foot injury. For the low back disability, an increased rating of 40 percent has been granted from July 14, 1998 to May 23, 2002, with no higher rating thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and a disability affecting multiple joints, as secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further action, including scheduling a VA examination and adjudicating the claim on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to decide any of the issues.

The Board finds that it is as likely as not the Veteran's right knee disability was related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for a right knee disability. Service connection for a low back disability is also granted based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a low back disorder is denied. The evidence of record does not show any in-service injury or treatment related to this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, finding that there was insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an examination to assess his employability.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for each hip disability effective from March 21, 2007. The earlier effective dates for the increased ratings of the hips are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the submission of a VA Form 646.

The Board has granted the applications to reopen claims for service connection for PTSD and a low back disorder, finding that new evidence supports these claims. Service connection is also granted for PTSD due to witnessing an in-service plane crash.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, but denied both the reopening and the underlying claim. The Veteran's current sacroiliitis is not service-connected as it was not present in service or within one year of discharge.