Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the issue of service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's neck disability is causally related to his active duty service, while his back disability was not shown by medical evidence of record to be etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event in service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disorder and his military service. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their CUE motion regarding the June 8, 2011 decision denying increased disability ratings for various conditions. As a result, the Board dismissed the case.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal, and as a result, the Board has dismissed the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability had its onset during service and is related to his in-service injury, granting service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including lumbosacral strain, thoracolumbar strain with levoscoliosis, degenerative spondylosis at T10-11, sacral strain with left sacral torsion, bilateral sciatica, and bladder incontinence, are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected, and his claim for residuals of a brain injury (to include headaches) was denied due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current symptoms and service.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied as there was no evidence showing that the complications from the September 2001 surgery and follow-up care caused additional disabilities.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine has not manifested by forward flexion to less than 30 degrees, ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes. Therefore, a higher evaluation is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran's current erectile dysfunction is more likely than not caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as there was no evidence of more than the currently assigned ratings for his service-connected conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disorder during service or within one year post-service, and concluded that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disorder and finds no basis for service connection on either direct or secondary grounds.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the claims for increased ratings and service connection are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and lumbar degenerative disk disease have been reopened, but denied on the merits.,A current right knee disability has not been established.

The Veteran's low back disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its likely etiology and whether it is related to service. The appeal will be reconsidered after the examination.