Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current low back disability to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's VR&E benefits were initially denied due to a determination of no serious employment handicap. The RO has now determined there is a material change in his disability level, and the case is being remanded for further review.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee osteochondritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, both rated at 20 percent. The appeals are based on direct service connection.

The veteran's claims are being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board is remanding the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and informing the veteran of his right to submit any additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for scoliosis, finding that his current low back disability was not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The low back disability, including degenerative changes or arthritis, was also not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and neck disorder did not begin in service or are related to any incident therein, nor is it proximately due to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and low back disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The RO will schedule the veteran for a hearing before RO personnel.

The RO granted a 10 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine effective December 1, 1996. The veteran's claim remains in appellate status as her request for an increased rating is still pending.

The Board found that the veteran's current cervical spine and left shoulder conditions are not related to an injury in service, but rather likely due to aging. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and conducting further examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder existed prior to his entry into active duty and was not aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and an earlier effective date are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected dorsolumbar paravertebral myositis scoliosis, finding that his back disability was manifested by arthritic changes, disc space narrowing, mild limitation of motion and muscle spasm. The RO had previously granted a 20 percent evaluation effective November 1992.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine condition due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial in February 1994.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine with degenerative joint disease/degenerative disc disease and right shoulder impingement, status post rotator cuff repair are related to service. The claim for bilateral popliteal aneurysms is being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.