Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathies, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder, including DDD and DJD, is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or immediately after his military service and there is no evidence of a superimposed injury or aggravation by service. The pre-existing scoliosis was considered congenital and not subject to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and resending the supplemental statement of the case to the correct address.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, including ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar and dorsal spine, is being remanded due to incomplete records. The VA will attempt to locate his service treatment records from alternative sources.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection of various conditions, including bilateral cataracts and glaucoma, diabetes, low back pain pathology, hypertension, athlete's foot, and prostate cancer. The appeals are remanded to the Louisville, Kentucky RO for further development due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. Additionally, a VA examination is required for each of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records, scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and etiology of his low back disability, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities are found less likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and verifying herbicide exposure.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and a right knee disorder, finding no evidence of continuity of symptoms or medical treatment related to these conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, stomach problems, low back pain, and jungle rot in the ears were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain and hemorrhoids did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to December 15, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for scoliosis of the thoracic and lumbar spine with mild degenerative changes is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition, including any associated neurologic abnormalities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diagnosed back disorders, including musculoligamentous strain of the thoracolumbar spine and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, did not originate in service or for many years thereafter and are not related to a disease or injury in active service.

The Veteran incurred unauthorized medical expenses at Memorial Hospital for treatment of a spinal abscess and osteomyelitis. The VA determined that payment was not warranted due to the availability of VA facilities, which were feasible and available.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to her active service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as they are now moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, conjunctivitis, lumbar strain and spinal degenerative arthritis, sinusitis, hypertension, bronchitis, cervical degenerative arthritis with spondylosis with right arm radiculopathy, and degenerative arthritis of the arms, wrists, and hands. The Board found that there was no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year after separation.

The Board found no evidence of a direct service connection for the Veteran's low back and right leg disabilities, as there was no in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions. The VA examiner determined that it is less likely than not that the current disabilities are related to service.