Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed low back disorder, left leg numbness, and numbness of the arms and body are not service-connected as they are attributed to degenerative changes in the cervical and lumbar spine which occurred after separation from military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the current conditions are not related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for additional action due to VCAA compliance issues and need for a new VA examination.

The Board determined that the veteran's low back disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent, as it only produces moderate limitation of motion and intervertebral disc syndrome without severe lumbosacral strain.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder due to lack of evidence showing such an injury or disease in service. Service connection was not granted for the veteran's low back and bilateral knee disorders as further medical examination is needed.

The veteran's lumbosacral spine spondylolisthesis with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 is currently rated 20 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The veteran's hypertension claim was denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. His left knee arthralgia with crepitus does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the hands and a low back disability must be denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and VA treatment records. The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition will be reconsidered after these steps.

The Board has ordered additional development of the veteran's claims for service connection due to ambiguity in the nature and etiology of his claimed low back and right foot disabilities, as well as potential National Guard service records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability is not related to his service-connected bilateral foot disability and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The veteran seeks service connection for a low back disability, which he claims is related to an in-service injury. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical nexus opinion and the need for additional treatment records.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disorder related to service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine with degenerative changes is being remanded due to a lack of information regarding the total duration of incapacitating episodes caused by her disability in terms of weeks during the past year.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, back disorder, and depression due to lack of verified in-service stressors.,Service connection was not granted as the veteran's claimed conditions are considered direct service connections without any presumption or secondary linkage.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA medical records from 1995 to 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a back disorder present in service or etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining pertinent treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral hip disorder as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, finding that these conditions were aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.