Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for muscular low back pain, as secondary to GERD, is denied. The issue of an initial compensable rating for calluses of the bilateral feet remains pending. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for GERD is remanded.

The Veteran's severe pain and weakness in his lower extremities, due to service-connected disabilities, meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development due to the need for a VA orthopedic examination to determine if the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, GERD with hiatal hernia, and diabetes mellitus were granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was set at February 9, 2005.

The Veteran's Tietze's syndrome is characterized by subjective complaints of sharp, almost paralyzing chest pain occurring approximately twice a week and difficulty breathing with viral infections. The disability has been rated as noncompensably disabling under Diagnostic Code 5321.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, respiratory disorders (asthma and/or chronic bronchitis), and memory loss. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection under any theory.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA treatment records and for another VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's cause of death (urosepsis) was not service-connected, and no other disability contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for her low back disability has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and extent of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, particularly any neurological manifestations.

The Board has determined that the appellant's low back, left knee, and right patellar tendonitis disabilities are related to his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has granted service connection for chronic bilateral hearing loss disability and is remanding the issue of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder to include lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal. As a result, no further action by the Board is appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination to assess his service-connected spine disability and its impact on his lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine and right wrist disabilities, as well as any newly identified conditions. The effective dates will be determined based on the findings from these examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for various disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left and right knee disabilities, cervical spine disability, neurological disabilities in both upper extremities, and a psychiatric condition. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, it is not at least as likely as not that his current low back disability was incurred in or aggravated by his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The low back disability issue is remanded as it involves a complex medical nexus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, an increased rating for cervical spine disability and arthritis, and an increase in rating for chondromalacia of the left knee. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability.