Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back strain is directly related to his service-connected cervical spine disability or if it was caused by some other incident of service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, a back disability, and right leg peripheral neuropathy. The VA examiner found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Alegent Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska on April 19, 2007 is denied as the criteria for emergency treatment were not met.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Alegent Health Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa on April 13, 2008 are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities in May 2000, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The claims remain denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease and lumbar strain, finding no evidence of in-service injury or chronic disability that could be linked to his current conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities are causally related to service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is found to have originated during his period of active military service. However, there is no current evidence of bilateral hip strain or bilateral tibial shaft stress reaction (including bilateral knee stress reaction).

The Board found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim. His hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for respiratory disorders, low back disorder, and PTSD have been previously denied. New evidence has not raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's right foot and heel disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for additional development due to outstanding records and a need for an orthopedic examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, currently diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, was incurred during his period of active military service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, as well as his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back condition.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The decision found that the left iliac crest periostitis did not result in flexion of the left hip limited to 20 degrees or less, thus not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision does not address the temporary total evaluation claim.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic back disorder is granted, and his tinnitus is also granted. Service connection for hearing loss is granted with an initial noncompensable rating.