Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling error for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of higher initial disability ratings for cervical and lumbar spine conditions, as well as endometriosis with dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia, are now pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his service-connected left knee disability and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD was also granted, as it is not established by credible supporting evidence.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the initial rating decision. The claim for headaches was granted with an increased rating to 50 percent as of May 28, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and gastrointestinal disorder on the grounds that there was no evidence of chronicity within one year post-service, and the current conditions are not related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, cardiovascular disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability was not incurred in service and is not related to her service-connected chronic lumbar strain. The initial rating for chronic lumbar strain prior to March 28, 2006, and from March 28, 2006 onwards, has also been denied.

The Veteran's low back disorder is not related to service or any incident therein. The claims for left knee, right knee, tinnitus, gastrointestinal disorder, and right foot/heel disorders are also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, and the reduction in evaluation from 40 to 20 percent was upheld. The Board found insufficient evidence to address the issues of an earlier effective date or a higher rating prior to January 22, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected DJD of the lumbar spine and diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction were denied. The Veteran was not granted any additional ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was received on May 2, 2002. The Board found no earlier effective date as the earliest communication related to this issue is dated May 2, 2002.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied service connection claims for joint pain, left ankle disability, headaches, acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (nervous condition), seizure disorder, and disability manifested by weight loss. However, these claims remain denied as they are not related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and left lateral femoral cutaneous nerve entrapment are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and readjudication of the issues on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of kidney stones, and thus the Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones is denied. The claims for initial compensable ratings for chronic upper back disability and chronic low back disability are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral arm disorder, bilateral knee disorder, floaters in eyes, breathing trouble, ulcer, erectile dysfunction, headaches, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and PTSD. The Board found that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis and lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing lumbar spine disability was not aggravated by service. The claim for asbestosis remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability is denied. The RO has scheduled the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his lumbar spine disability, and will consider all evidence in determining whether an increase in severity has occurred.