Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected residuals of a laminectomy, including degenerative disc disease, of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder as secondary to his service-connected bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome in January 1997. The RO has now denied the veteran's petition to reopen this claim, finding no new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and the veteran's claim to reopen was also denied. The VA examiner found no link between any event of service origin and post-service degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and a herniated disc at L4-L5.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current low back disability, sinusitis, or stomach symptoms to service.,Specifically, the Board noted that any current conditions were not caused by incidents of service.

The veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease was granted a 20% evaluation effective September 23, 2002. The left heel spurs and GERD with IBS were both granted initial evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and an increased evaluation for low back disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease, L5-S1, with herniated nucleus pulposus, status post right L5-S1 discectomy, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service and no correlation between the current disability and an incident during service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as arthritis of the right hip, are related to injuries sustained during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the veteran's current low back pain is likely due to an injury sustained during his military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and consideration of new regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a neck disorder and new and material evidence for his low back disability. The veteran's current neck disorder was not incurred during active service, while his low back disability is considered to be unrelated to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury, left knee injury, and lumbosacral strain due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between service and these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disorder is as likely as not aggravated by his military service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected back disability necessitates the need for regular aid and attendance, which has been granted special monthly compensation benefits.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for stomach disability and low back disability. The reopened claims are now addressed on a de novo basis.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back injury with radiculopathy and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The veteran's claims for special monthly compensation, specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, and financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile were denied due to his failure to submit to VA examinations necessary to determine whether service-connected disabilities resulted in loss of use of extremities.

The veteran's Raynaud's syndrome, a disability related to cold exposure during service, was granted as service-connected. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required relative to the appellant's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The case is therefore remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC), in Washington, DC.