Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for residuals of low back strain and defective hearing are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination records, Social Security Administration decision review, and treatment record updates.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome, and a back disorder. The claim for service connection of arthritis of the left elbow is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malaria has been denied as there is no evidence of malaria in or after service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and a low back disorder, finding that her diagnoses were not predicated upon verified in-service stressors or credible evidence of personal assault.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a mental health nexus opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her service-connected right shoulder disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to inadequate opinion from a VA spine examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records and clarify whether he still desires a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for low back strain with traumatic arthritis is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence and the need for additional development, including medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a back disorder and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature of the Veteran's service and his low back disability. The claim will be reviewed after additional development, including medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, chronic lumbar strain, is causally related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of any currently diagnosed lumbar spine disability and neuropathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her service-connected right shoulder disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection or compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is etiologically related to his period of service, and thus grants service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the Veteran's low back disability and right knee disability, effective February 4, 2004. Service connection for an eye disability secondary to a head injury was also granted.