Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability did not have onset during service and is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The RO awarded a 20% rating effective from August 23, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his cervical spine disorder was granted, with an effective date from September 30, 2009. Service connection for the low back disorder and unspecified joint degenerative disease were also granted.

The Board determined that a low back disability, including degenerative arthritis and disc disease of L4-5 with probable spinal stenosis, is not proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected osteomyelitis of the left ilium. The current low back disability was also found not to be related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between his military service and any diagnosed condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's hepatitis C and back disorders are not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is presumed to have been incurred in service. The cervical spine disorder claim requires additional development as it involves ADT and a prior injury.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are not related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest within one year of discharge from service or were related to any aspect of service.,Service treatment records showed no evidence of chronic diabetes or low back disorders during active duty. The Veteran reported gestational diabetes in 1980 which resolved postpartum.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further examination regarding a left varicocele.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were withdrawn. The Board also determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or hypertension, which are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination to determine if any current thoracic and/or lumbosacral spine disorders are related to service. The presumption of soundness will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disorders, right ankle injury, and left heel spur.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently suffers from lumbar disc disease, which is causally related to an in-service injury. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, finding that it is etiologically related to the Veteran's military service. The claims for back, right hip, and right foot disorders are remanded due to a lack of adequate examination opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left foot, left knee, or low back disability that is related to his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, a left shoulder disorder, and a low back disorder. The VA medical examination did not find any chronic conditions related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial evaluation for residuals of left hand injury affecting the long, ring and little fingers was granted. Service connection for traumatic arthritis of the left wrist, bipolar disorder, and loss of four upper teeth due to dental trauma were also granted.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current back disorder to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.