Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active military service.

The Veteran is entitled to housebound benefits due to his nonservice-connected disabilities, which combine for a rating of 70 percent. He also meets the age requirement (over 65 years old) and has served during a period of war (Korean Conflict).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, diabetes mellitus, and low back disability were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all due to the 'unknown' status of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and residuals of right femur fracture were denied. The Veteran was currently rated at 40 percent for his lumbosacral spine condition, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back disorder, which he claims was caused by lifting heavy mail sacks during his military service. The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is denied because there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or after service. The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits is also denied as he did not serve during a designated period of war.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and low back disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it was incurred in service. The claims for bilateral knee disabilities are remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether they are secondary to the low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and bilateral arm pain condition is not service-connected, as it was not incurred during service or due to his service-connected low back strain. The claim for increased rating of left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to service-connected low back strain is also denied.

The Veteran's current low back disability and neurologic bilateral leg disability are not service-connected. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, flat feet, ankle pain, low back pain, and headaches are remanded due to incomplete information regarding active duty periods.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the complexity of her conditions and their potential relationship to her active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from performing the duties of a TSA baggage screener, and his current occupation is not unsuitable based on his specific employment handicap and capabilities.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for a VA examination and further development due to previous remand orders not being complied with.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability did not have onset in active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his low back disability, including service connection and a temporary total disability rating due to surgery in September 2004, was granted. He is now rated at 40 percent for his low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for any of his claimed disabilities and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board's May 2009 decision and remand order is vacated due to the Veteran's death in July 2007, and the appeal is dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, a disability of the eyelid, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were all denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The claim for tinnitus was not granted as there is no medical evidence indicating a link between the condition and his military service. The Veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine are currently rated at 20 percent, but an increased rating is denied.