Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The veteran's lower back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from March 24, 2005. A separate 10 percent rating for mild radiculopathy of the right foot is granted as of September 9, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's neck, cervical spine, and low back disability including arthritis, as well as his right hand and wrist injury residuals, and arm and leg weakness, are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed neck, cervical spine, and low back disability including arthritis, as well as his right hand and wrist injury residuals, and arm and leg weakness, are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for lung disease, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and a lower back condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder. The Board also found that the veteran had a congenital back condition, which is not subject to service connection. However, the VA examiner concluded that the veteran's current mild anterior compression deformity of the T12 vertebral body and degenerative disc disease with diffuse bulging and disc herniation of the lumbar spine are both related to his active duty service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back strain was denied. The RO found that the disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating prior to September 8, 2004, and after that date, it assigned a 40 percent rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The claim for PTSD was also denied.,Service connection could not be established as there is no evidence of a relationship between in-service injuries and current disabilities.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. The case has been remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between her current condition and active military duty.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability based on new and material evidence. However, further development is needed to determine if the condition was aggravated by service or due to an intercurrent injury.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability warrants a 60 percent rating, effective from the date of his claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's disability rating for lumbar strain from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper and remains effective as of September 1, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the provision of relevant medical records.

The veteran seeks to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disorder, claimed as residuals of a lumbosacral strain. The RO/AMC will need to provide VCAA compliant notice and obtain all outstanding VA treatment records before deciding whether new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the veteran's low back syndrome with left sacroiliac joint pain and degenerative disc disease, effective from the date of the decision. The ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy (10%), left lower extremity radiculopathy (10%), and osteoarthritis of the right knee remain unchanged at 10 percent each.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for impotence and erectile dysfunction secondary to a service-connected disability, as well as his claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left inguinal hernia repair. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's back disability. The issue will be reconsidered after all evidence is considered.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his thoracic spine disability and service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent were not met. The claim for TDIU was held in abeyance.