Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip disability, bilateral eye disability, and PTSD. The claim for low back disability was also denied as there was no evidence to support its relationship with service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability began during his active military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain was not productive of moderate limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes, and thus did not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (T/R) from January 2004 to March 2005 and from December 2005 to September 2006, finding that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a T/R.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spasms of the erector spinal muscles was denied. He is currently rated at 20% for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence received after the May 2009 decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and right shoulder strain are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and back disorders are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorder. The claims for secondary service connection were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder did not manifest during service, arthritis was not shown within a year after discharge, and there is no causal relationship between his current diagnoses and his active service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection of a low back disorder and an increased evaluation for his right knee disability, finding that there was no causal association between these conditions and his military service. The claim for MDD was granted but with a reduced initial rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, to include as secondary to service-connected right knee strain. The case is remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and dental condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service treatment records.

The Veteran does not have a current right ankle, low back or neck disability that is related to service. The Board finds no evidence of chronic disabilities at the time of discharge and there is no competent medical evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and his TDIU claim. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, and that the Veteran's current condition was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the increased rating for tinnitus. The claims for service connection and disability ratings were denied, as well as the extension of special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her helpless as to be in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor does she meet the criteria for housebound status.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder and has determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Board finds that the in-service injury resulted in the current, chronic lower back pathology.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for exposure to asbestos, to include asbestosis, has been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder due to lack of evidence and further development is needed.