Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for low back pain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a concussion, to include memory loss, and for migraine headaches. The Veteran's other claims for service connection have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with major depression, which constitutes a complete grant of the Veteran's psychiatric disability claim. As such, no discussion of VA's duty to notify or assist is necessary.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart condition, blocked nose, skin condition, spinal cord or low back injury, respiratory disorder (claimed due to asbestos exposure), and other conditions. The evidence does not support a finding of service origin for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral wrist and hand disability, an eating disorder, a low back disability, and a heart disability have been denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to decide whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to service, lifting patients in a hospital setting.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. However, the Board found that the current condition is less likely as not caused by or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The issues of service connection for a bilateral ankle disability are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been rated at 40 percent since March 2001. The current rating is denied as the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a reduction in the rating of his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with fecal incontinence and syncope from 40 percent to 20 percent is being remanded due to procedural issues related to VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right knee and low back disabilities, as well as her bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, may be related to service. However, due to the need for medical opinions on etiology, the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a neck disability, hearing loss, or prostate cancer that is attributable to his periods of active military service. However, it is as likely as not that the Veteran's prostate cancer is related to herbicide exposure during his period of active military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis has not been manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less, and thus does not warrant a higher rating than the current 20 percent assigned.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 16, 2005. Service connection for the residuals of cold injury (frozen feet) is granted. Service connection for a back disorder (residuals of spinal meningitis) and knee disorders are also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete verification of his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA service. The appellant is required to provide information on when he was in these types of service.