Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied low back claim. However, further development is required for resolution of the underlying service connection claim.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a low back disability, bilateral ear disability, and skin cancer on the left face and arm. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and a back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disabilities since service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support these claims based on lack of in-service or postservice diagnosis.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a low back disability and also denied the claim itself, finding that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The Veteran's in-service injury was noted but no chronic disability was found.

The Veteran's right knee disorder and bilateral eye disorders are granted service connection. The Veteran's back and left ankle disorders do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further examination and development due to insufficient evidence of his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection and rating for his claimed conditions are not addressed in this decision.

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

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected asthma, effective from the date of this decision. The criteria for a higher 100 percent evaluation have not been met.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is causally related to his active service. The claims for hypertension and heart murmur were withdrawn by the Veteran prior to decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back and lung disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that her current manifestations of scoliosis and spina bifida occulta are not related to her in-service injury. The Board also found no evidence linking her low back pain to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability and low back disability, as well as the submission of any civilian medical records.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and knees, as there was no in-service injury or chronic condition seen within one year post-separation. The Veteran's current conditions are not linked to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for higher disability ratings or TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, numbness in the left hand (claimed as radiculopathy), and thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis with left lower extremity radiculopathy. The right shoulder disability was granted but not increased beyond a 10% rating.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and lumbosacral strain, which he contends began in service. The case was remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has not met the criteria for a higher rating since January 23, 2007.