Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disorder is proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle fracture. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a fracture of the left ankle have not been met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for urethritis, spondylolysis of the lumbar spine, a disability manifested by fatigue with nausea and vomiting as secondary to Reiter's syndrome, a seizure disorder as secondary to Reiter's syndrome, and fibromyalgia. The appeals were all denied due to lack of current medical diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability, including arthralgia and limited lumbar spine motion, is a residual of an injury sustained during service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board finds that the veteran's low back disorder, memory loss, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and review of his medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not caused or made worse by his service-connected right ankle fracture residuals.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the service-connected right ankle disability, and continues to deny any increase in rating for arthritis of the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain with a fracture at L1 is rated as 30 percent disabling, and his right shoulder injury is rated as 10 percent disabling. The RO must remand the case for further development to obtain medical records and ensure compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back injury residuals, including lumbar degenerative disc disease and lumbar spondylosis, originated during active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder. The claim will be further evaluated on its merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis and radiculitis was incurred in service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability, finding that his current condition is not related to any incident in service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back strain did not have its onset during service and is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability is service-connected and renders him eligible for a TDIU rating. The RO has scheduled the veteran for an examination to determine if his disability precludes him from performing substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current chronic low back disability is due to an in-service injury, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to changes in the law and need for updated examinations.

The Board granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the service-connected traumatic arthritis and degenerative discogenic disease of the lumbar spine, effective prior to September 23, 2002. The other issues were not addressed as they are being remanded.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the severity of his service-connected back disability and any associated neurologic manifestations.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as discogenic low back pain, began in service and is therefore considered to be incurred therein. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.