Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic lumbosacral strain as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The only competent opinion addressing these issues is against the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ankylosing spondylitis of the thoracolumbar spine and a higher initial rating for residuals of a cerebrovascular accident (stroke). The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 16, 2004 for service connection was granted. The initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from October 31, 2006 is maintained.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and assigned a 10 percent evaluation. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia, as well as his bowel disorder, are not currently service connected. Service connection for CRPS of the right leg was also granted with an initial evaluation of 40 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a low back disability related to his military service, including as a result of mad cow disease. Therefore, service connection for a low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine injury sustained during a VA medical appointment in August 2008 is considered an additional disability due to carelessness, negligence or lack of proper skill on the part of VA. The claim for compensation under U.S.C. §1151 is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and a back condition, as well as his claim for increased rating for PTSD. The Board found no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a personality disorder, a back disability, and asthma. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a comprehensive medical opinion addressing his employability due to service-connected disabilities and whether he is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for a low back disability, specifically concerning whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the condition was not aggravated during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches, low back disorder, and left ankle sprain are all related to his active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disability and left carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral plantar fasciitis, and degenerative joint disease and dextroscoliosis of the lumbosacral spine are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an upper back disorder and a bilateral foot disorder due to lack of examination. The Veteran must be scheduled for VA examinations to determine if he currently has these conditions and whether they are related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back condition is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder did not develop in service or is otherwise causally related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbar spine disability was denied, but the Board found that additional evidence warranted a remand to consider the claims de novo. The initial evaluations were granted and assigned.

The Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under section 1151 was denied. The claims for service connection were also denied, with the exception of major depression which was granted. Higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss were not awarded.

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