Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's neck and back conditions did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, there is no continuity of symptomatology shown, and the disabilities have not been shown to be etiologically related to an event, disease, or injury in service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied a separate compensable rating for objective neurological abnormalities associated with the service-connected degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding no evidence of such abnormalities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus. The initial ratings for degenerative joint disease of various joints have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and tinnitus, meet the criteria for a TDIU effective September 17, 2009. The claim is remanded to consider entitlement to a TDIU prior to that date on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, with bulging disc at L4-5 and L5-S1.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating prior to May 5, 2005 and a rating in excess of 20 percent since that date for his service-connected urethritis were denied. Service connection was also denied for PTSD and low back disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection for back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability can be decided.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic pain involving the low back, hips, shoulders and legs (claimed as 'bone disease') and thyroid cancer due to herbicide exposure. However, the evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection under any applicable law or regulation.

The Veteran's low back disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and middle back disabilities. The claim of reopening a previously denied neck disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder, chronic low back disorder, and PTSD were all denied. The Board found no current evidence of a chronic lung disability or a chronic low back disorder. Regarding PTSD, the claim was reopened but not granted as there is insufficient evidence to establish that the claimed stressor occurred during service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Board is remanding the case for clarification of medical evidence and a VA examination to determine the diagnoses and etiologies of the appellant's bilateral knees, low back, and whether any are related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for various foot, ankle, knee, hip, and low back disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hand disability, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disability, back disability, neck disability, and residuals of right ankle sprain have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of reopening service connection for a back disorder and generalized arthritis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's low back disability is found to be related to his active duty service, and he is granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and wedge compression deformity of the lumbar spine.