Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected low back disability effective July 22, 2004.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his lumbar degenerative disc disease was granted, and he is currently receiving a 10 percent disability rating effective January 4, 2002.

The Board denied service connection for the removal of the right testicle, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, and residuals of a right foot injury. The appellant's appeal was withdrawn regarding his left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disorder is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current back and knee disorders were not present until many years after service, and are not etiologically or causally related to active duty service or any incident therein. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations to determine if the veteran's current right knee and low back disorders are related to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The tongue cancer issue is remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and lumbar paravertebral myositis, was incurred in service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that no new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations. The claims of service connection for a low back disability and increased rating for skin disability are pending.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee and low back disabilities were denied. The right knee disability was granted a 20 percent rating, but the claim remains pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of the claims on an extraschedular basis.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have left ear hearing loss, and denied his claim for service connection.,Regarding the cervical spine/upper back condition, the VA found insufficient evidence to grant service connection on a direct basis or as secondary to service-connected shoulder disability.

The RO granted service connection for the veteran's spinal disorders but did not assign a rating. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and determine appropriate ratings.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of service connection for her back disability, concluding that there was no evidence linking her current condition to her military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected low back disability, which is rated under Diagnostic Code 5295 (lumbosacral strain), may be considered productive of functional loss including flare-ups. The most recent VA examination demonstrated no muscle spasm on extreme forward bending or unilateral loss of lateral spine motion in a standing position. However, the veteran's range of motion was noted to be within normal limits with some pain during flexion and extension. Considering all factors, the Board granted a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Board finds that the veteran's service connection claim for degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine is denied as there is no competent evidence linking any current disability to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding no current diagnosis linking these conditions to service.