Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining employment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the Veteran's contention that his current condition is related to an in-service injury during combat.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings on multiple service-connected conditions were denied. The VA examinations and medical records did not support the requested increased ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's current disabilities were found not to be related to his military service, and he was awarded a 20% disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease beginning October 9, 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his combat experiences during service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, heart disease (due to herbicide exposure), and hypertension are not addressed as they do not involve service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a low back or left knee disability during service, and the Veteran's current disabilities are not shown to be related to his active duty. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids (claimed as anal fissures), neck disability, lumbar spine disability, right and left knee disabilities, and right and left ankle disabilities. The Veteran's claims were remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back disorder, right leg disorder, and bilateral hearing loss have been reopened. The new evidence provided a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine strain were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for left posterior tibialis tendonitis, rated at 10% prior to October 24, 2007, and at 20% thereafter; right posterior tibialis tendonitis, also rated at 10% prior to March 27, 2009, and at 20% thereafter; and bilateral plantar fasciitis, each rated at 10%. The claims were denied as the conditions are not related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than January 30, 2006 for the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, and he is now competent to handle his VA compensation benefits. The claims for PTSD and a back disability were dismissed.

The Board finds that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's migraine headaches. The Veteran's service treatment records contain in-service findings consistent with this disability, he has reported continuity of symptomatology since service, and a VA examination diagnosed him with migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected, but his claims for back condition, left shoulder DJD, and left elbow degenerative arthritis are all granted as they are considered to be directly related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disease of the thoracolumbar spine with chronic low back pain is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for iritis and a back condition, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims. The decision also addressed the issue of entitlement to payment or reimbursement of non-VA medical expenses.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right hip disability due to new and material evidence. However, it denied all other claims including service connection for back, leg, foot conditions, and an acquired psychiatric condition as secondary to her service-connected post-operative residuals, right ilioinguinal neurectomy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for sinus problems. The claim for a low back disability is remanded.

The VA has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for total hip replacements on both hips, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and compression fracture with laminectomy. The evaluations remain at 30%, 10%, and 40% respectively.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder is related to his military service, including exposure to cold weather while in Korea. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to the need for a compensation and pension examination.