Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back or right knee condition and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board concluded that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor is it proximately due to or the result of a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's current back disorder is not related to service, and the Board finds that arthritis of the lumbar spine may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable and excess of 10 percent ratings for his service-connected right patellar tendonitis with degenerative joint disease, left knee disability, and lumbar spine disability have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including refractive eye surgery, low back strain, cervical spine disorder, sleep disorder, left hand disorder, and urticaria.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids was granted, and a 10 percent rating was assigned for his lumbar spine disability.

The Board found that the appellant's current left foot and ankle disability, as well as his lower back disorder, are related to an in-service fall from a guard tower. The Board granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a herniated nucleus pulposus L4/L5 with sciatica, incurred during the Veteran's second period of active duty. Service connection was also granted for hypertension, as it is at least as likely as not that the condition increased in severity beyond its natural progression during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation and service connection for neurologic manifestations secondary to his low back disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating or service connection based on direct service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic low back strain and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted and that the condition is causally related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an examination of the Veteran's claimed right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, even though they do not result in a combined 100 percent schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), arthritis, left wrist sprain, and lumbar strain have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD in accordance with VA regulations and there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding of service connection for any psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability and a low back disability, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to service or the in-service injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and radiculitis of the left lower extremity are not rated higher than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of severe limitation of motion or additional neurological deficits.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection. The inguinal hernia issue is pending as it has been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right thigh, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability with bilateral leg involvement is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current spine disability is related to her service, including any periods of active duty and Reserve training. The Veteran contends that her back disorder began during her period of Army Reserves service in 2002.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions began in or were made worse by military service.