Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete examination and treatment records, as well as the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ulnar neuropathy of the left arm and low back disability. The claim for increased rating for bilateral foot disorder is pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, effective September 27, 2008. The claim for hepatitis C service connection was granted. The right hip disorder remains rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, left eye disability (post-surgical scar), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current extent of his low back strain, including any associated neurological dysfunctions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disorder secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's assertions regarding falls causing his current low back disorder are considered insufficient to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, pterygium of the eyes, and a low back disability have been denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for the low back disability has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and a medical examination to determine the etiology of his spinal stenosis, arthritis, and disc herniation. The claims will be readjudicated based on this new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled Travel Board hearing and inability to locate him. The file will be returned to his representative for preparation of an informal hearing presentation if he cannot be located.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability due to service and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of service connection for left knee disability remains pending as it is unclear whether the appeal is about service connection at all.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for back and bilateral shoulder disorders, which he attributes to inservice gunshot wounds. The Board finds there is a further duty to assist the Veteran with his claims and remands the case for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder first manifested during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and is not related to service, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of either foot or lower extremity, and the Board finds that his inability to walk without crutches is due to spinal conditions rather than a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum to the previous examination report.

The Board has determined that an effective date of July 15, 2002 should be established for the grant of service connection for rhinitis. The Veteran's claim is granted with respect to this issue.

The Veteran's C4 to C5 disc herniation is not shown to be due to an injury or other event of his active service, nor is it shown to have been caused by the service-connected residuals of lumbosacral strain. The Board finds that there is no causal relationship between the cervical spine disorder and the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder, including lumbar strain, degenerative disc disease L4-5, facet degenerative changes, and right sciatica, was not incurred or aggravated during service. The VA examiner found no link between his current condition and his period of active military service.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis for the Veteran's claimed low back and left hip disorders. The evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.