Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and neurological impairment of the left upper extremity are not service-connected as they are attributed to known diagnoses, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests for additional records. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee, wrist, hand, and back disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service or related to a service-connected disability. The right knee disorder was granted service connection but with an initial rating of 10% prior to October 5, 2009, and 30% thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his left knee condition. The issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability and entitlement to TDIU are also part of this appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder did not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to service, but there was no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a request for withdrawal from the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee as secondary to his right knee condition. The issue of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine and thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are related to his in-service combat injury, and service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and readjudicating the claim based on all evidence added since the November 2010 statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. A VA examination of the eyes will also be scheduled.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hemorrhoids, back condition, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity sciatica and increased ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of left lower extremity sciatica associated with the lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues include service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent since January 11, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic brain injury, but denied service connection for low back disability, right hand contusion, left knee disability, and right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including residuals of a neurological disorder (other than TBI), sleep apnea, back disability, and fibromyalgia, were not incurred or aggravated by service.,Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's low back injury and left ankle condition are not service-connected.,His hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease has been rated at 10 percent since the grant of service connection, with no higher rating granted.