Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are found to be related to his military service, specifically his time in Vietnam. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not related to his military service. The VA examiner concluded that the current low back condition could not be linked to the soft tissue injuries noted during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a right knee disability. The case is being remanded to the RO for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied. The Board found that the diabetes mellitus was not due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault during his 1996 VA hospitalization. Cardiomegaly and a back disorder are not service-connected. The Veteran's esophagitis is not manifested by ulceration of the lower esophagus, no dilations have been required, and it does not meet criteria for a separate compensable rating. GERD with IBS does not warrant an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current back disability and his military service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a low back injury and residuals of cold injury to the feet, finding no nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee medial compartment osteoarthritis with varus alignment, and left ankle conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's combined evaluation for compensation is 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as per VA regulations.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease or degenerative disc disease is related to his active military service. The Board also determined that these conditions are not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected valvular heart disease, mitral insufficiency residual of rheumatic fever.

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

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 10 percent. The RO has granted these ratings effective January 6, 2004.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and L5 radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been rated at 10, 20, and 40 percent respectively. The intermittent vertigo has not met criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, verifying National Guard service periods, and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the appellant's low back disability or skin condition are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain was denied as no increase in disability had occurred within the year prior to his February 26, 2007 claim.

The Board found no credible evidence of a continuity of symptoms linking the Veteran's current low back disability to his service, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for myositis of the lumbar region, effective from the date of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of VA treatment records from the Albuquerque VAMC.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.