Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back disability is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back, cervical spine, left-sided neurological condition, and right hip disabilities are not related to service. The current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was granted, and he is currently receiving a 20 percent rating effective from February 14, 2004. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased evaluation prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his lumbosacral spine disability and associated radiculopathies were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability from January 20, 2000 through March 18, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current disability level.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and hypertensive heart disease, as well as service connection for diabetes mellitus. The decision also noted that macular degeneration was caused by service-connected hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year thereafter. The current low back disability is less likely caused by his military service.,Insomnia and neuropsychiatric disorders are also not service-connected, with the Veteran's conditions more likely related to post-military incarceration rather than service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder and a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that any current hip or back disorders were not caused by service.

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

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is service-connected.,The Veteran's asthma was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling error for his requested videoconference hearing. The claims will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected spondylosis of lumbar spine L5-S1 was granted, with a current evaluation of 40 percent. Initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent were denied for the Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with proper notice.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for an ear disorder and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded to obtain VA audiological examination reports and ensure that all necessary development has been completed.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for acid reflux is being remanded to obtain a clarifying opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his PTSD and depression.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction are being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not directly related, secondary to, or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a disability manifested by voice change is being remanded to provide the Veteran with a VA examination and determine if he has a current disability due to intubation during service.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip arthritis and low back arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are more likely than not caused by injuries sustained during active duty training.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, left hip, and knee disorders, as well as a right thumb cyst and numbness in the arms and feet, were denied. The Board found no current disabilities related to these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease has not resulted in ankylosis or functional losses tantamount to ankylosis, and evaluating the disability based on incapacitating episodes would at no point during the relevant time period result in a rating greater than that which is currently assigned for the separately evaluated orthopedic and neurologic manifestations of his degenerative disc disease when all disabilities are combined under 38 C.F.R. § 4.25.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder or hypertension, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence in support of service connection for the claimed conditions, including a back disability, lung disability, hypertension, right inguinal or umbilical hernia, and residuals of blows to the skull. The Veteran's claims are denied.