Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

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

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability was granted, with a 60% disability rating effective from January 9, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hammertoes of the right foot and lumbosacral strain, finding that the current ratings were appropriate under VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that has not been considered by the RO.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, right leg disability, and left leg disability. The evidence received since the May 2001 denial is not new or material to reopen the claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain warrants a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of his separation from service in December 2000.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and remanded it for further development. The claim is now to be adjudicated on its merits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum from the VA examiner who performed the February 2003 examination, and to review all available medical records for any additional evidence that may be relevant to the veteran's claim of service connection for his back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical records and an examination, as well as further development of the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting spondylolisthesis and/or spondylolysis existed prior to service, and was not aggravated by service.

The veteran's left knee disorder is rated at 10% due to pain and slight limitation of motion, but no additional rating can be granted under the current criteria.,For his chronic lumbar strain, he is currently rated at 10%, which includes consideration of degenerative changes confirmed by x-ray.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center and scheduling a VA orthopedic examination. The veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of crush injury to the left ilium crest and pubic ramus, as well as whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for lumbar spine disorder, will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and medical records from VA facilities. The veteran is also required to provide any relevant evidence in her possession.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability warrants a rating of 50 percent since April 7, 2004. The veteran's major depression is rated at 70 percent effective August 15, 2001.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability. The issue of increased ratings for bilateral defective hearing is addressed, with separate determinations made for periods prior to February 1, 2002, and on or subsequent to February 1, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is reasonably attributable to service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a bilateral hip disability, a bilateral knee disability, a bilateral ankle disability, a thoracic spine disability, or a lumbar spine disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is not related to his service-connected pes planus and therefore denied the claim for service connection.