Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of Graves' disease or a back disorder, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left knee disorder, neck disorder, lumbar spine disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)/hiatal hernia, irritable bowel syndrome, and erectile dysfunction, were denied. The RO also denied his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for a scar of the right buttock.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities may render him unemployable due to their severity and nature. The claim will be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evidentiary development, including additional examinations and a dose estimate for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for service-connected left ankle sprain has been denied due to lack of evidence demonstrating marked or moderate limitation of motion, painful motion, or other functional impairment. The Veteran's osteoarthritis with degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained during active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the inadequacy of the most recent VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, including central disc protrusion at L5-S1, is service-connected as it developed during active duty and continues to cause symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted since the June 1999 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and left plantar lesions, effective from May 1, 2006. The Veteran was assigned a 10 percent rating for each condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability and right knee disability. Service connection for low back disability is being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back condition is not related to his in-service lumbar strain and more likely related to incidents after discharge.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) L4-L5 with right L4 pars and slight anterolisthesis, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back, bilateral knee, and right shoulder disabilities are related to his service. However, there is no evidence of a hip disability during service or since then.

The Board has remanded the claim for increased rating of low back disability due to outstanding private and VA treatment records, a new examination, and further development.