Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition (claimed as jungle rot) and diarrhea.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video hearing and the revocation of his current representative. The issues include reopening the claim for service connection for hearing loss, as well as claims for various other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is not productive of limitation of flexion to 30 degrees, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least four weeks but less than six weeks during the past twelve months. Therefore, his claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and low back disability due to incomplete medical records and further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of umbilical hernia, back disability, and left hip disability was denied. The claim for residuals of circumcision was not addressed as it did not involve a determination on service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right shoulder injury, right hip and groin disability, and back disability are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and did not address the back disability claim. The Board also determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the back disability claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently evaluated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher evaluation based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's back disability, characterized by intervertebral disc syndrome with limitation of motion and radiculopathy in both lower extremities, has been rated at 40 percent since the initial rating decision. The appeal is granted as his condition warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with osteoarthritis was increased from a 20 percent rating to a 40 percent rating effective March 18, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back strain is attributable to service, but his left shoulder disorder (including arthritis) was not manifest during or within one year after service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for a left shoulder disability is denied.

The Board denied both claims for service connection, finding that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors were not verified and there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD. The low back disorder claim was also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for an increased rating for athlete's foot and service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, L5-S1, to include as secondary to service-connected arthritis of the cervical spine. The Veteran withdrew his appeals with respect to these issues.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The other conditions are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various orthopedic conditions, including right shoulder, back, left hip, bilateral ankle, right foot and right knee disorders are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The claim for a right hip disorder remains pending.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability, but denied it on the merits. The Veteran's low back disability is not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Appellant's claim as he is not considered a Veteran for his service in September 2004, and therefore cannot be granted VA benefits for any consequent right ankle disability or additional secondary injury to his low back.

The Veteran's low back strain, right hip bursitis, and left hip bursitis have been granted service connection.,Service connection for a cervical spine disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has not been established.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.