Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's back disorder to service or his service-connected gunshot residuals of the right lower leg, and thus denies the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar disc disease and right knee disability, as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The evidence did not establish a link between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain and bilateral pes planus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg radiculopathy, initial compensable evaluations for lumbar muscle spasm and a left inguinal hernia, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent disabling for GERD were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of chronic left leg radiculopathy or other service-connected disabilities causing the Veteran's symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The low back disorder claim is also granted as the evidence is in equipoise regarding its relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records. The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted effective dates of August 16, 2004 for service connection of low back disability, cervical spine disability, and right shoulder degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's appeal of the January 2004 rating decision was dismissed due to failure to timely file a substantive appeal. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings and earlier effective dates are currently on hold as they are inextricably intertwined with the timeliness issue.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the appellant's current low back disability is related to his service, specifically an in-service fall.

The Board found that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to an injury incurred during active service, and thus granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and medical discharge information. The Veteran's claim for reopening his back condition will be considered.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be decided.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA orthopedic examination.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disability and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for this condition. The claim for an initial compensable rating for shrapnel injury to muscle group XVII was granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome, partial rotator cuff tear with degenerative changes, and back disability are found to be the result of injury incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability, including a post-operative scar, is service-connected. His scar near the upper lip is also service-connected. Since November 28, 2004, his irritable bowel syndrome has been rated at 30 percent. The RO must readjudicate the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability in light of these findings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Board found no independent verification of a noncombat stressor in service, including near drowning. The preponderance of the evidence showed that an acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service.