Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and insufficient medical evidence to establish aggravation during service. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of her back disability due to incomplete development, including a lack of a VA gynecological examination. The RO is instructed to arrange for these examinations and obtain any additional evidence needed.

The veteran's claims for service connection for head injuries and vitiligo, as well as his claim for a compensable evaluation for maxillary sinusitis were denied. His claim for an increased rating for chronic low back pain was granted with a 10% disability rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a chronic back disorder, left ankle injury, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active or inactive duty reserve service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as her range of motion is within normal limits and she does not have ankylosis or other severe symptoms.

The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses for the claimed conditions and concluded that none were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities are not related to his military service. As a result, he cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a lumbar spine disability. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for kidney stones and traumatic arthritis of the right shoulder are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a fracture of the second lumbar vertebra and granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for tarsal tunnel syndrome of the left foot. The issue of increased rating for status post triple arthrodesis of the left foot is pending.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's disability rating from 60 percent to 40 percent for his lumbosacral strain with spondylolisthesis at L5-S1, status post fusion at L5-S1 and laminectomy at L4-L5 was warranted. The criteria for a 50 percent rating have been met.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder, abdominal disorder and chest and shoulder disorder were not incurred in service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The veteran's cervical spine disorder and compression fracture at T12 with lumbar strain are currently rated as 20 percent disabling, effective from June 5, 1997 to September 30, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine with spondylolisthesis and degenerative disc disease does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The veteran's low back disorder, characterized by persistent symptoms compatible with sciatic neuropathy and demonstrable muscle spasm, warrants a 60 percent disability rating.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for chronic lumbar syndrome, finding that the veteran's symptoms met the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation under former Diagnostic Codes 5292 and 5295.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is related to an inservice fall, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by his service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and review of medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected disabilities. The issues on appeal are whether the initial evaluations for low back strain, avulsion fracture of the left ankle, and palsy of the left common peroneal nerve were properly assigned.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the claim for service connection for a heart condition due to withdrawal by the appellant's representative.