Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability did not manifest during service and is not otherwise related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability did not have its onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are related to his active duty experience. The back disorder, arthritis of multiple joints, hypertension, and OSA do not have a direct link to his military service.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back and spinal cord disability, finding that there is no competent evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on June 16, 2007 was denied as the circumstances did not constitute a medical emergency and VA facilities were available.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by her representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development of relevant treatment records, including VA and private medical records. The case will be re-adjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's request for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the failure to hold his scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted service connection based on direct evidence showing that his current condition is related to injuries sustained during active service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was found to have manifested in pain and limitation of motion, with forward flexion limited to 40 degrees. The Board determined that the current 30 percent rating for this period is appropriate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee patellofemoral arthritis, and thus grants service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling him for VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, but granted a 10 percent rating for gastric ulcer with Barrett's esophagus and intestinal metaplasia effective September 21, 1998. The Veteran's low back disability was also granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her back and knee conditions, prevent her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The criteria for a TDIU evaluation are met on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and bilateral hip disorder are not related to her service or a service-connected disability.,VA examined the Veteran multiple times, including in May 2010 and June 2011, who found no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and psychiatric disability. The rating assigned is 10 percent, effective as of April 28, 1995.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since December 2, 2006. The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether his symptoms have most nearly approximated flexion limited to 30 degrees or less during this period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of secondary service connection for his cervical spine and left upper extremity conditions.