Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of multiple joints, including both ankles, both knees, and his low back is related to his period of active duty. The psychiatric disorder claim was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability is not directly related to an in-service injury, and thus denied service connection for chronic lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease at L5-S1 and low back pain.

The Board found that the appellant's current chronic back disability was not incurred or aggravated by his service, specifically noting that the May 1982 injury resolved without leaving residual chronic back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision on the low back disorder is based on continuity of symptomatology during and after service, while the denial of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is due to lack of clear evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Board found no evidence of a current right ankle disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The back disability was not related to active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability. The veteran's current low back disability is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted an initial rating of 10% for fibromyalgia.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The appellant is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected low back disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and ensuring compliance with notification requirements.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the evidence is at least as likely as not related to the veteran's in-service injury.

The veteran's low back disability is manifested by symptoms equivalent to doctor-prescribed bed rest with a total duration of at least four weeks but less than six weeks in the past year, warranting a 40 percent rating for intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is service-connected, as it was incurred during active duty for training in 1967.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, right hip, and low back disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right ankle strain with arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic acquired low back disorder and an increased rating of 10 percent for left knee strain with arthritis from October 29, 2003. The appeal regarding TDIU is referred to the RO&IC.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of lumbosacral surgery due to degenerative disc disease, finding that it is related to his inservice back injury. The claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and a back disorder secondary to bilateral pes planus, finding that the veteran's preexisting pes planus did not increase in service and there was no evidence of a link between his back disorder and a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for major depression, secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The initial rating of 40 percent is maintained.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and granted service connection for a right knee disability, but the rating assigned was only 10 percent. The low back disability issue is remanded to the RO.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease/degenerative disc disease. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease with facet arthritis at L5-S1 and L4-5, is related to his military service. As such, service connection for residuals of a low back injury is granted.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability and a longer period of convalescence. The case is being remanded to the RO for further development.