Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for low back strain due to the lack of new and material evidence, despite reopening the claim.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied because the placement of hardware and surgery were deemed necessary consequences of his December 1997 surgical procedure, and he did not experience additional disability as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for surgical scarring from the removal of a perirectal abscess and denied service connection for nerve damage of the low back, with radiating pain, as a post-operative residual for the removal of a perirectal abscess.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease and bilateral hearing loss are currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that these ratings do not meet his claim for higher disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted since the September 1982 denial is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his low back disorder, right knee meniscal tear, and right knee arthritis were denied. The veteran was granted a compensable evaluation (10 percent) for his residual scar from the urethroscope/meatotomy procedure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and a back condition, finding no evidence of in-service injury or exposure that could support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for genetic transitional vertebra at L5-S1 with secondary slight lumbar scoliosis, finding no persuasive medical nexus evidence of such conditions during or as a result of his military service.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and determine if the veteran's lumbar spine disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The appeal will be further considered after these actions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left leg disability, blood condition, impotence, psychiatric disorder (claimed as nervousness and depression), right arm disability, arthritis, and memory loss, all secondary to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a bilateral foot disability, back disability, or left knee disability related to active service. The numbness of the right arm is also not considered secondary to a service-connected back disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the secondary service connection for depression issue due to new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, dry eyes, and a low back disability. The decision is final as it was not appealed within one year of the RO's September 1991 denial.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and records review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, right acetabulum, left acetabulum, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit a timely substantive appeal for his claim of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder. The RO's January 1999 decision denying memory loss symptoms as a chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illness is final. New evidence received since the January 1999 decision supports reopening this claim, but does not establish service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability. The reopened claim will be addressed in the remand portion of this decision.