Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not file a timely notice of disagreement regarding the September 2003 rating decision, which denied service connection for right hip injury, right knee injury, and bilateral shoulder pain, as well as assigning noncompensable ratings for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine segments. As such, the appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to further development of evidence being required. The right knee sprain claim is not granted, and other service connection claims are also not granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a more recent VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear at his scheduled hearing and requests for a new hearing date. The right knee disability rating remains unchanged, but service connection issues are being addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, cervical spine disability, multilevel lumbar discogenic disease, prostate condition, and gouty arthritis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete verification of service and possible SSA records.

The Board denied the severance of service connection for prostatitis and lumbosacral strain, as well as the reopening of the claim for a psychiatric disorder. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arterial hypertension with proteinuria and glomulosclerosis, low back pain, and a right knee condition, preclude gainful employment. The Board finds that the requirements for a TDIU rating are met.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including an examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of L4-5 herniated nucleus pulposus and degenerative disc disease are etiologically related to a chronic low back disorder that had its onset during active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his in-service injury and his current condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed back disorder, right leg disorder, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disability that he contends was incurred during active duty in the Arkansas Army National Guard. The Board has determined that an examination is needed to determine if his current back disability is related to this incident.

The Board found that the Veteran's testimony and his spouse's credible testimony regarding an in-service injury and subsequent symptoms since service were sufficient to establish a nexus between his current low back disability and service. As such, the appeal for service connection was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected low back strain, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, Achilles tendonitis, and a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability compensation benefits due to incarceration was proper, and thus denied the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his service.

The Board has determined that the appellant was not unemployable by reason of service-connected disability for the period from November 29, 2006, through March 27, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine and low back disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such during service or for many years thereafter. The current conditions are considered to be a result of pre-existing congenital defects.