Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The VA denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's chronic low back pain and did not find that he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, including shrapnel wounds and burn, is being remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The veteran's service-connected scoliosis and mechanical low back pain are productive of functional loss due to pain, including during flare-ups. The VA has granted a 10 percent disability rating for this condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development.

The veteran's lumbosacral fibromyositis with bilateral L5-S1 radiculopathy is rated at 60 percent, the highest available schedular evaluation. The right knee arthritis warrants a separate 10 percent rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for left foot, left knee, and lumbar spine disorders secondary to his service-connected right foot/ankle disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of the low back, neck, or right shoulder that are related to his active service. The evidence shows no such disability for many years after the incidents in question.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination and review of records.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, and TDIU rating have been granted with effective dates of November 24, 1987. The ratings for the lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are set at 20% from November 24, 1987 to July 30, 2000, and 40% and 30%, respectively, after that date.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected low back strain, currently rated at 20 percent. The evidence did not meet criteria warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were granted, with the effective date set at July 12, 2000. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including an amputation below the right knee, left ankle disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and low back disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for depression and menometrorrhagia were denied as the evidence did not show that either condition warranted a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and dermatitis as a result of exposure to herbicides. The appeal regarding peripheral neuropathy is unclear due to lack of information.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, residuals of a right arm injury, and cervical spine disability. The claim for colon polyps and carcinoma of the colon was not addressed as it is unclear if this issue was part of the original appeal.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for mechanical low back pain with degenerative joint disease, effective from September 23, 2002. The claim for service connection of the testicular disorder was reopened and granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed conditions, including residuals of a twisted left ankle injury and low back disorder, are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for mechanical low back pain is denied as the evidence does not show ankylosis, severe limitation of motion, or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc disease.,The veteran's claim for a higher rating for undiagnosed illness, manifested by fatigue and headaches, is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for very frequent prostrating attacks or debilitating fatigue.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and hearing loss, finding no new evidence to reopen the tinnitus claim.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the hands, knees, and cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine as aggravated by active service.