Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran is granted a rating of 40 percent for his service-connected low back disability, including myofascial syndrome, which includes symptoms such as widespread musculoskeletal pain and weakness that are refractory to treatment.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, but the low back disorder and residuals of a cerebral concussion were not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's upper back and right shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received and an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during or after his military service and insufficient credible evidence linking any current low back disorder to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the increased rating for his lumbar spine DDD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the grant of service connection for tinnitus with a 10% evaluation effective January 13, 2006. The remaining conditions are not considered to be related to active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was increased to a 40 percent rating effective April 14, 2009. His right knee strain and PFB were also increased in ratings, but his conjunctivitis of the eyes did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back disorder is at least as likely as not related to his active service, including injuries sustained while playing football. Therefore, service connection for a low back disorder is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and residuals of a laceration to the right index and ring fingers were denied. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of his low back disorder and bilateral knee and ankle arthritis, concluding that there is insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service. Service connection was denied for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service, nor is it secondary to a service-connected disability. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a travel board hearing, and the Veteran's request for such.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as new and material evidence was not presented to show that his character of discharge has been upgraded, thus removing the bar for VA benefits.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination, as well as obtaining all outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and requests for additional information. The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic residuals of a back disorder will be reconsidered after obtaining all relevant service records.