Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal was granted, and he is now competent to handle his VA compensation benefits. The claims for PTSD and a back disability were dismissed.

The Board finds that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's migraine headaches. The Veteran's service treatment records contain in-service findings consistent with this disability, he has reported continuity of symptomatology since service, and a VA examination diagnosed him with migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected, but his claims for back condition, left shoulder DJD, and left elbow degenerative arthritis are all granted as they are considered to be directly related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disease of the thoracolumbar spine with chronic low back pain is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for iritis and a back condition, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims. The decision also addressed the issue of entitlement to payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right hip disability due to new and material evidence. However, it denied all other claims including service connection for back, leg, foot conditions, and an acquired psychiatric condition as secondary to her service-connected post-operative residuals, right ilioinguinal neurectomy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for sinus problems. The claim for a low back disability is remanded.

The VA has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for total hip replacements on both hips, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and compression fracture with laminectomy. The evaluations remain at 30%, 10%, and 40% respectively.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder is related to his military service, including exposure to cold weather while in Korea. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to the need for a compensation and pension examination.

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeal from the appellant prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung/asthma disorder and low back disorder are both incurred during active service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need to consider additional evidence received since the last complete Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right-sided moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, effective from January 26, 2005. The lower back disability and left-sided radiculopathy have not been rated higher.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by active service, as there was no clear evidence of aggravation during service. The preexisting conditions did not worsen in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board found no current diagnosis of diabetes, left ear disability, or lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's service treatment records did not show any findings related to these conditions. There is insufficient evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and skin disability, as well as his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD are all denied.