Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, a stomach disability to include gastroesophageal reflux disease, and a low back disability. The Board found that diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of chronicity after service. The current stomach disability and low back disability are also not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and a total disability rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine is dismissed as he did not file a timely notice of disagreement with the November 1999 rating decision.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for dysthymic disorder is also dismissed, as he did not file a timely notice of disagreement within one year of the December 1997 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for pancreatitis, arthritis of the bilateral knees and ankles, herniated disc of the lumbar spine, diabetes mellitus, Type II, or hepatitis C.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for lumbosacral spine injury residuals, head injury residuals, and hypertension. The Veteran submitted new and material evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his active service. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar strain were granted, with a rating of 30 percent for cervical strain effective from February 21, 2008. The previous noncompensable ratings have been found to be incorrect.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining in-patient records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Board finds service connection for a low back disorder is warranted based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The right ankle, hearing loss, and tinnitus claims are denied as there was no in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the current nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's right arm, right and left knees, and low back disabilities. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to her service-connected lumbar spine disability, including increased ratings and TDIU. The case is being remanded for additional development of the claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and missing relevant medical findings.

The Board found that the Veteran's back, bilateral hip, left knee, and right knee disorders are not related to his service-connected pes planus. The claims for secondary service connection were denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on his low back disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development including medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain and for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD involving the thoracic and lumbar spine(s) with Schmorl's node at T12-L1, L1-2, and L2-3 and mild disc bulging at L1-2, L2-3, and L5-S1 was granted a 40 percent disability rating effective September 15, 2006.

The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's ankylosing spondylitis or similar arthritic disorder preexisted service. The condition was not aggravated during service, and thus service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an additional VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with traumatic arthritis and consideration of additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 20 percent since July 11, 2005. The rating is for the orthopedic manifestations of his condition and takes into account moderate limitation of motion.