Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND that follows.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his military service and therefore, does not warrant service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected muscle tension headaches, neurological complications of the lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc disease, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, left knee strain, right knee strain, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, and right knee strain with degenerative arthritis have all been denied. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular evaluation for his muscle tension headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disorders, each assigned a 10 percent disability rating, effective July 26, 2004. The right ankle claim remains on hold as it is not part of the current appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and entitlement to a TDIU have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral foot disability (with diabetic peripheral neuropathy) are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar disc herniation, L5-S1, is currently rated at 20 percent effective October 2, 2012. The appeal for higher initial ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no chronic orthopedic left leg disability, and the flat feet and lumbar spine conditions are rated appropriately under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back, neck, and respiratory disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's hypertension had its onset and was shown in service. As such, the criteria for entitlement to service connection for hypertension have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing and issuance of an SOC on several issues. The claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral hip disability are currently before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of verified stressors and in-service manifestations. New evidence received since the last denial does not provide a new or material basis for reopening these claims.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn due to his request to withdraw the appeal regarding left ankle, back, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus issues. The Board did not have jurisdiction to review these issues as they were dismissed.

The Board has raised questions about the exact nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, and shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case regarding his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the right knee, and a statement of the case must be issued with respect to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disorder.

The Board found no new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, PTSD, and bilateral pes planus. The service connection claim for tinnitus was denied as there is no medical evidence linking current tinnitus to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is determined to be related to her military service and she is granted service connection for this condition. However, there is no current evidence of bilateral hearing loss meeting VA criteria.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disabilities based on new evidence showing aggravation during active duty.,Service connection is granted for a right knee disability due to permanent aggravation in service. Service connection is also granted for a low back disorder, as the evidence supports a finding that it was incurred or aggravated by military service.