Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's service-connected left femur fracture aggravated his degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claim for residuals of a fracture of the right clavicle with subluxation and deformity of the sternoclavicular joint, as well as his initial disability ratings for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and tinea corpora (claimed as a skin disability) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review it.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and status post left shoulder arthroscopy for multiple dislocations, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's current arm symptoms are more likely related to alcohol consumption rather than in-service trauma. Therefore, service connection for a bilateral arm disability was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his compression fracture at L1 with back pain and spondylotic changes of the lumbar spine, finding that even when pain is considered, the disability does not result in functional loss consistent with or comparable to moderate limitation of motion. The separate claim for a 10 percent rating for demonstrable deformity of vertebral body was also denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted, with a 20 percent evaluation assigned. The other claims were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and the veteran's low back disability is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, and the claim for service connection for a low back disorder is reopened. However, the VA medical examiner concluded that the in-service herniorrhaphy was not the cause of the veteran's current back problems.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his tinnitus, are service-connected. However, there is no evidence of a current heart disability or bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a lower back injury, specifically, for a low back paravertebral strain, and therefore the benefits sought on appeal have been granted in full.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His chronic low back strain is currently rated at 40 percent, his umbilical hernia repair at 10 percent, and he does not have a cervical spine condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the cause of the veteran's claimed conditions and whether service connection should be granted.

The veteran's right knee disorder is not service connected, and his left hip disorder remains denied.,His hearing loss claim has been reopened.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability warrants a 20 percent initial rating, reflecting moderate limitation of motion.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.