Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and conducting examinations to determine the nature and etiology of various conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease with mechanical low back pain is currently rated at 20 percent, effective July 23, 2004. The Board found that the disability does not warrant a higher rating as it did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, a lung disability, and a lower back disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of back disability and arthritis, left knee disability, renal failure, and bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board dismissed the appellant's appeal because he did not file a timely substantive appeal within one year of the August 31, 2004 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. As a result, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected glomerulosclerosis with nephrotic syndrome, hypertension, and renal failure.,The Veteran's enlarged heart, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease are also found to be secondary to his service-connected glomerulosclerosis with nephrotic syndrome, hypertension, and renal failure.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of depression, first degree atrioventricular block, and low back disorder has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain was primarily manifested by mild pain, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 17, 2008. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, prior to June 17, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back strain is directly related to his service-connected cervical spine disability or if it was caused by some other incident of service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, a back disability, and right leg peripheral neuropathy. The VA examiner found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Alegent Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska on April 19, 2007 is denied as the criteria for emergency treatment were not met.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Alegent Health Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa on April 13, 2008 are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities in May 2000, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The claims remain denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease and lumbar strain, finding no evidence of in-service injury or chronic disability that could be linked to his current conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities are causally related to service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is found to have originated during his period of active military service. However, there is no current evidence of bilateral hip strain or bilateral tibial shaft stress reaction (including bilateral knee stress reaction).

The Board found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim. His hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for respiratory disorders, low back disorder, and PTSD have been previously denied. New evidence has not raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's right foot and heel disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.