Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for service-connected epididymitis and service connection for low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of long-term drug therapy or hospitalizations required by the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, which was previously denied in August 1989. The additional medical records provide competent objective evidence of current low back disability.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and scheduling the veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and extent of his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for headaches. The veteran's back disorder is considered a separate issue, but no specific theory of service connection was provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain and hemorrhoids and anal fissure, status post sphincterotomy and fistulectomy, result in constant slight fecal leakage. The veteran is seeking a compensable initial rating for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to inadequate notice and failure to provide a VA examination.

The Board previously denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected sacroiliac sprain with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and spondylolisthesis at L4-L5. The Court has remanded the case to the Board for readjudication, including addressing the impact of pain on range of motion and applying new criteria for rating intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board determined that the veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected disabilities, and denied all claims.

The veteran claims entitlement to service connection for a low back disability. The case is remanded due to the need to obtain reserve medical records and reevaluate the claim by an appropriate examiner.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The veteran was awarded a 10 percent rating for tinnitus effective from June 10, 1999.

The veteran's sinusitis with headaches and bilateral plantar fasciitis are service-connected, while his low back disorder is not. The veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination to determine the relationship between his back disorder and service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's DJD of the lumbar spine was not incurred during active military service nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in active service. The claim for right and left leg disorders is denied as there is no new and material evidence received.

The veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back condition are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the veteran's exposure to asbestos and his employment history, as well as for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his back disorder and lung cancer.

The Board found that the veteran did file a timely Substantive Appeal for his low back disability claim, which was denied in July 2000. The appeal is granted to this extent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, concluding that there was no established link between his current back disorder and service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and seeking opinions from specialists regarding the etiology of his back disorder and ulcerative colitis. The secondary service connection claim for a back disorder as related to service-connected hemorrhoids will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability, manifested by degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with history of laminotomy, L4-L5, warrants a 10 percent rating since the effective date of service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and low back disability, finding no evidence of a current disability or any superimposed chronic condition during service.