Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability, finding no direct evidence of its onset during active service and insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection based on her pre-existing psychiatric disorder. The Board also noted that there was no compensable arthritis in the neck within one year after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back and sacroiliac joint disabilities are not related to his service-connected left ankle disability, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected back and left ankle disabilities, as well as his claim for a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, pulmonary disorder (to include COPD, Emphysema, and/or Bronchial Disorder), and sinus disorder. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service disease or injury that resulted in current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of the record and VCAA compliance issues.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability did not begin in or is otherwise related to his service, and thus denied service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's claims, including updated examinations and clarification of his need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining a final decision from SSA and any associated medical records. The claim will then be readjudicated with consideration of all evidence added since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for PTSD, and the issue is dismissed without prejudice.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder secondary to the veteran's service-connected left ankle disability. The claim of reopening an acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing notice under the VCAA and scheduling a travel Board hearing.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying her service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn, and his claim for hypertension was denied as new and material evidence was not received. The low back disability claim is also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of his cervical spine disability and assessing the current level of impairment due to his low back strain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, scar on the back of the neck, and scar on the left forearm were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also not related to his period of service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and notification under the VCAA. The RO must ensure all notification and development action required by 38 U.S.C. §§ 5102, 5103, 5103A, and 5107 are fully complied with and satisfied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for low back strain, bilateral tinnitus, right shoulder sprain, right ankle sprain, and left knee injury. The VA found no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation prior to March 17, 2003 and an increased rating after that date for aortic insufficiency. The back condition claim was granted with a 40 percent rating effective March 17, 2003.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current lumbosacral strain to his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.