Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability did not have onset in active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service. The claim for a bilateral eye disability was remanded but no decision on this issue has been made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hip disorder and lumbar spine disorder are not related to service or any incident of service origin, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The case has been remanded due to a lack of VA treatment records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current low back disorders are not related to his military service and that arthritis is not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her low back disability remains pending and is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show incapacitating episodes, unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or at least mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his left knee disorder and low back disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development and adjudicative action due to insufficient medical opinion in the November 2008 VA examination report.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee and a right ankle condition, including as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's current neck, back, bilateral ankle, and bilateral knee conditions may be related to his service-connected foot problems.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the right fourth digit (ring finger) is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of one or both elbows is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease.,VA has not provided examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, right fourth digit (ring finger), low back, or right knee.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability was not incurred in or is etiologically related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to incomplete service records and need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on September 21, 2006 were denied as the treatment was not for an emergent condition and a VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including locating missing service treatment records and obtaining medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative osteoarthritis with spondylosis, lumbar paravertebral myositis, and discogenic disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to her service-connected endometriosis status post hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy, thus denying secondary service connection for back disability, shoulder disability, headaches, bilateral breast cysts, and neck pain.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar sprain and strain, began during his active duty military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.