Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral leg disorders, MSRA infection of the buttocks, residuals of left hand injury with tremors, shrapnel wound of the left lung, discolored gums, and loss of teeth. However, service connection is denied as none of these conditions are related to military service or exposure to chemical dioxins.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right-sided radiation of pain, as well as bilateral chondromalacia of the knees, were denied. The Veteran's lumbar condition is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, while his knee conditions are noncompensably (zero percent) rated.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, low back, right knee, right hip, and right leg disabilities on a direct basis.

The Board has granted service connection for left eye diplopia and found that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by active military service. Service connection is denied for a back disorder, as new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for back/low back strain, neck pain/myofascial pain syndrome of the neck, weight loss, and right knee disorder have been denied as they are not related to active service.,No presumptive service connection is granted due to undiagnosed illness or chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's reports of in-service injuries are not credible and that there is no evidence linking his current back disability to active service.

The Veteran does not have a low back disability that is related to his military service and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine, but denied any increase in ratings beyond the initial 10 percent assigned. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent since September 18, 1997, while his thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent effective January 24, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, which is a direct link between the Veteran's in-service stressors and his current psychiatric disability. The appeals for back disability and migraines have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is etiologically related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not shown to be etiologically related to her active duty service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbar strain with lumbar disc disease, finding that the Veteran's low back disorder had its onset during service and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability was denied. The RO found that the current evaluation of 40 percent adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms, including pain and stiffness but not requiring bed rest or neurologic impairment.

The Veteran's low back, right wrist, left knee, and right knee conditions were all found to be incurred in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder, as no such evidence exists in the record.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of the December 2009 examination regarding whether the Veteran's left leg sensory abnormalities are related to his degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury has been granted, and the case is dismissed as there are no issues over which the Board may exercise appellate jurisdiction.