Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining post-service treatment records and scheduling another VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for lumbar disc syndrome with degenerative lumbar arthritis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease/degenerative joint disease is incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown to be related to military noise exposure, and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DJD of the lumbosacral spine, hips, and knees is not related to his service. The preponderance of evidence supports a conclusion that these conditions are due to aging and an active lifestyle post-service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination to determine the nature and extent of his low back disability and whether it is related to service or his right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated during service and a left ankle disability was incurred in service. The other conditions were not established as being related to service.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical opinions to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions and ensuring proper notification requirements are met.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for knee and back disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to service, including his motorcycle accident in service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a low back condition is remanded due to incomplete records and inaccurate factual premises in the previous examination report.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder with arthritis, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, central retinal artery occlusion of the right eye, stomach disability, back disability, and pain in bilateral legs, were not shown during service or for many years thereafter. The evidence does not support a finding of an association between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back injury is pending.

The Board found no relationship between the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and bilateral knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his lumbar spine and bilateral hip/knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.