Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Board found that the current disability of the lumbar spine, degenerative disc disease, was not shown to have had onset during service and is unrelated to an injury in service. As a result, the claim for service connection for residuals of an injury of the lumbar spine was denied.

The Veteran's IBS with abdominal pain has been granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating. The Board finds that the Veteran's left hip, low back, neck, bilateral foot, and bilateral elbow disabilities may be related to his service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spondylosis with L4-L5 disc bulging and spinal stenosis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current back disability, which may be related to active military service or an injury during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and further development of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. A VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any low back disability.

The Board has determined that the case should be remanded to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(s) and whether he is substantially confined as a direct result of service-connected disability/disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disorder due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case is now REMANDED for further development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and consideration of the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back, neck, arm, hand, and GERD disorders are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the nature and cause of the Veteran's current back disorder and associated symptoms, including whether his service-connected condition or a post-service injury caused or aggravated his current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his service, including any in-service assault. As a result, he is denied service connection for all of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the appellant's current back disability, including whether it was present prior to service. The secondary claims for shoulder disabilities and headaches will be held in abeyance pending a decision on the primary claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, gastrointestinal disability, night sweats, and memory loss are related to his service in the Persian Gulf War. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her low back disability and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including left sciatica symptoms and spondylolysis with grade 1-2 spondylolisthesis, L5 on S1, is etiologically related to his active service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, ankle, and hip disabilities are not service-connected as they were neither incurred nor aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a video conference hearing before the Board. The issues include seeking an extraschedular rating, service connection, and evaluations for various disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of evidence.