Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus all issues are dismissed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back and neck disabilities are not related to his active service. The earliest clinical evidence of these conditions is from 2007, more than 49 years after separation from service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability did not have its onset in service, was not exhibited within the first post-service year, and is not otherwise related to active military service. The Board concluded that her current low back disability was not caused or made worse by a service-connected disability.

The Board found no evidence of a thoracolumbar spine injury or disease in service, and that the onset of a thoracolumbar spine disability did not occur until years after separation. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain VA and private treatment records, as well as to provide an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claim.

The Board has canceled two hearings scheduled for the Veteran and has now requested a video conference hearing due to the appellant's request. The appeal is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his military personnel records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease (arthritis) and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are chronically aggravated by his service-connected calcaneal spur, status post right foot injury with residual pain. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has been manifested by chronic pain and intermittent radiating pain to the lower extremities, with limited range of motion. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or less for the entire appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims regarding his left knee disability, B12 deficiency and anemia (claimed as blood deficiencies), memory loss, fatigue, neck disorder, back disorder, and lung disorder. The effective dates for these decisions are not specified.

The Veteran's appeal of all remaining issues has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.

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

The Board found no credible evidence of an in-service back injury, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine and a left shoulder disorder has been dismissed as there is no case or controversy involving these claims. The RO determined that the Veteran was already service-connected for arthritis/degenerative joint disease of his lumbar spine, which encompasses any arthritis present.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back condition, including whether it is related to service or his service-connected right leg fracture.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, back, and bilateral hip disabilities are not related to his active service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine was granted, with a current evaluation of 20 percent. The effective date for this grant is set at October 31, 2007.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine resulted in pain with limited motion, but no unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The claim for a higher rating was granted.