Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability is at least as likely as not attributable to a traumatic combat injury during service, and granted his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. For the period prior to February 2004, he received a 20 percent rating. After February 2004, he received a 50 percent rating.

The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 22, 1997.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain and liver damage due to substance abuse. The veteran's low back disorder is not considered service-connected, as there was no evidence of a current disability related to his period of active duty. For the liver damage claim, the Board found that the veteran engaged in drug use during service which may have contributed to his condition, but did not establish direct or secondary service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability was not incurred or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and chronic low back strain. The evidence did not support these claims as they were not of service origin.

The Board found that the veteran's current disabilities were not caused by a VA examination, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his low back disorder, skin disorder, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board found no evidence linking hepatitis C, depression, or cervical spine degenerative disc disease to service and denied the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there is x-ray evidence of degenerative changes within one year following the veteran's discharge from service. The right hip disorder issue remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's claimed psychiatric, right leg, gastrointestinal, and back disorders are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his service, and thus denied all of his claims for service connection.

The veteran's claim of a rating in excess of 60 percent for his service-connected herniated lumbar disc with low back strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's substantive appeal for service connection for a low back disorder was untimely, but granted an increased rating for his retinal tears and remanded the initial rating issue to the RO.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence showing that his current back problems are likely related to an in-service injury. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his military service, and did not chronically worsen as a result of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development of the record, including a VA examination and review of the medical opinions in the file.

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

The Board found that the veteran's left forearm scar existed prior to his military service and was not aggravated by such service. The arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to service.