Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims to reopen service connection for shoulder, headache, hip, and leg disabilities are granted. The underlying claims of entitlement to increased ratings for service-connected residuals of a compression fracture, C-6 with degenerative disc disease and sinusitis are deferred pending completion of the development sought in the remand that follows.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and left knee arthritis, finding no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection based on in-service noise exposure. The claims for PTSD, left leg disability, low back disability, and bilateral hip disability are denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right shoulder, right knee, and back disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in dismissal of the case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right and left elbow disabilities, a rash on the chest, recurrent pharyngitis, gynecomastia, Graves disease, and a back disability, all of which are not presumed to be due to exposure to herbicides. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his cervical spine disability was denied. His right shoulder arthralgia was not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to secure SSA records and provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative bone and disc disease of the lumbar spine to his active service. The appeal was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including searching for missing service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of low back pain or bilateral hip pain, and thus service connection is denied for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the initial compensable evaluation for hypertension was also denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for PTSD, right arm scar, skin rash, inguinal hernia, migraine headaches, residuals of a left knee injury, or low back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with DDD is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines. His left leg radiculopathy is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that an effective date of December 23, 1996 is assigned for the grant of service connection for chronic low back pain status post multiple laminectomy.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for a VA examination as to the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to obtain medical records and address the issue of a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected low back disorder.

The Board has ordered a remand due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to her service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to September 10, 2008. From that date, the disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a TDIU, increased ratings for left knee disabilities, and service connection for lumbar myositis to the RO for further development. The Veteran is also being given another opportunity to respond to these matters.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted effective September 29, 1997. Service connection for a low back disorder was denied.