Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and granted service connection for arthritis of the thoracolumbar arachnoid cyst, status post T9 through L1 laminectomy. The condition is considered a residual of new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran's ankylosing spondylitis of the thoracolumbar spine does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including right arm nerve conduction disability, mechanical low back pain, hiatal hernia with history of esophageal reflux, and left ulnar nerve palsy, do not warrant a higher rating under applicable VA regulations. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee disorders, finding that current conditions are not related to any injury or disease in service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD, prostate cancer, and lumbar spine disability. The RO will further develop these claims before deciding them.

The Board found no credible supporting evidence for the veteran's claimed in-service stressors, which are necessary to establish service connection for PTSD. The low back disorder was also not linked to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that it began as a consequence of active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a nose fracture, and PTSD. The RO also determined that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims for right eye disorder and neck injury.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from caring for his daily personal needs, and do not render him unable to protect himself from the hazards of daily living. The veteran is not substantially confined to his house or immediate premises as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, right ankle disorder, and bilateral knee disorders due to lack of legal merit.

The veteran's low back disorder is currently evaluated at 20 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating. The other issues are not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's lumbar myositis with diffuse disc at L4-L5 and L5-S1, including a small annular tear, was rated as 40 percent disabling since February 17, 2002.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and issuance of a statement of the case regarding his service-connected schizophrenia.

The VA has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, effective January 24, 2001. The condition is characterized by very significant muscle spasm productive of severe intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disability is not related to a disease or injury in service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the claims are no longer under consideration.

The veteran's service-connected diffuse degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis at L4-5 renders him unable to care for his daily needs without the regular aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a grant of special monthly compensation.

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