Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied service connection claims for joint pain, left ankle disability, headaches, acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (nervous condition), seizure disorder, and disability manifested by weight loss. However, these claims remain denied as they are not related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and left lateral femoral cutaneous nerve entrapment are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and readjudication of the issues on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of kidney stones, and thus the Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones is denied. The claims for initial compensable ratings for chronic upper back disability and chronic low back disability are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral arm disorder, bilateral knee disorder, floaters in eyes, breathing trouble, ulcer, erectile dysfunction, headaches, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and PTSD. The Board found that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis and lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing lumbar spine disability was not aggravated by service. The claim for asbestosis remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability is denied. The RO has scheduled the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his lumbar spine disability, and will consider all evidence in determining whether an increase in severity has occurred.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to her in-service injury and is not due to or aggravated by a service-connected right knee condition. As such, service connection for this disability is granted.

The Board has ordered a remand for an updated medical opinion regarding the relationship between the appellant's current back disorders and his service, as well as consideration of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's depression is related to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board grants secondary service connection for this condition. The low back disorder is not found to be directly related to service or service-connected conditions, but the claim is not decided on service connection grounds as it was not raised in the original appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied. The claims for initial rating and higher ratings for left shoulder impingement syndrome were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's spina bifida occulta clearly and unmistakably preexisted service, but was not aggravated by active service. The most probative evidence indicates no current low back disability is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back strain and left knee injury are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show any chronic disability during service, and there is no medical opinion linking current disabilities to service.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service, including complaints of back pain noted during service. The claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.