Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and low back disorder with arthritis were not incurred or aggravated during active service, nor could they be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and denied an initial compensable rating prior to July 2010 and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for median neuropathy of the left wrist is denied as there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability was granted, but a rating of more than 10 percent is denied. The left knee and PTSD claims are not addressed as they were not part of the original appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for both issues before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a nerve injury and PTSD, as well as his claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for depression. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is service-connected due to injury sustained during military service. The erectile dysfunction, however, was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and is not presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has found that there is no competent medical evidence of record relating the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities to his service in the military. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board has granted initial ratings of 10 percent for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, effective July 25, 2005. The Board also found that service connection is warranted for these conditions on a secondary basis due to their relationship to his pre-existing knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that a new examination and opinion are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and cervical strain were denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and opinions to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and issuing a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disorder and lumbar spine disorder has been withdrawn. The claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a spine examination. The case will be returned to the Board if further action is required.

The Board denied reopening of previous final decisions regarding service connection for a back disorder and sinusitis, as well as service connection for cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims were all found to lack new and material evidence.