Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected residuals of fractured right wrist and left pubis rami, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the presence of neurological manifestations due to his cervical spine disorder.

The Board finds that the veteran's back disability, characterized by pain and degenerative changes, warrants a 40% evaluation effective from May 16, 2001.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current low back condition to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 20 percent prior to September 29, 1999 for his low back disability and for an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected sacroiliac weakness is asymptomatic and denied an increased rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, low back disorder, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, flatfeet, skin disorder, headaches, nosebleeds, sleep apnea, joint pain, depression with memory loss, sexual dysfunction, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any incident during service.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The veteran's spine disabilities are remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining her service medical records and Social Security Administration records. She will also be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity of her low back condition and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a low back disability and service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury to the toes, bilaterally. The appeal is based on the original grant of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hip arthritis, and disabilities of the knees and ankles. The appeals were not granted.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for residuals fracture transverse process L1, L2 and L3 with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was granted. His bilateral hearing loss rating remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected spinal stenosis and lumbar spondylosis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining an examination to determine if his current back disorder is related to injuries sustained during service.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability and for service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence to support a higher evaluation or a secondary relationship between his service-connected condition and his current health issues.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection. The right shoulder, knee, and left knee disabilities were also evaluated but no increased ratings were granted.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder and the claim for an increased rating for lumbar disc bulge. The skin disorder was not found to be related to service, while the lumbar disc bulge's symptoms did not meet criteria warranting higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating and service connection were denied. The herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1 is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, effective October 21, 1998.

The veteran's lumbosacral muscle spasm is currently rated at 20 percent, and his degenerative arthritis of the left ankle was initially rated at 10 percent prior to January 18, 2005. The RO has now granted a higher rating of 20 percent for the left ankle from January 18, 2005.