Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disorder and a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a liver disorder, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during her active military duty or within one year after discharge.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and restoration of service connection for a right inguinal hernia, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the May 1991 rating decision severing service connection for the right inguinal hernia. The Board also found that the evidence did not support service connection for the low back disorder.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability and denied his claims for bilateral shoulder disability and bronchitis.

The Board denied increased evaluations for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and for increased ratings for his right knee disability. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection, and that any secondary service connection claim based on the right knee disability was not supported by the medical evidence.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain with abnormal deep tendon reflexes, currently evaluated at 50 percent. The RO granted a 30 percent evaluation instead.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral spine disorder is related to an injury during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial. The Board found that any preexisting back problem was aggravated by service, making it service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions have not met the criteria for increased ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain the veteran's medical records, schedule him for an examination, and consider his claims under the new rating criteria for spine disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, thoracic outlet syndrome on the right, and thoracic outlet syndrome on the left.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently has a kyphoscoliosis of the thoracic and lumbar spine, which is likely to have had its clinical onset during service. The right knee disorder and left knee disorder are not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's spine disability, characterized by radiculopathy and degenerative disc disease with associated pain and limited motion, is now rated at the highest available level of 60 percent.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected back disability, which includes residuals of Scheuermann's disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, residuals of contusion of thoracic spine, and residuals of compression fractures of the thoracic spine. The depression is also found to be proximately due to or the result of her service-connected back disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing, additional medical records, and a VA examination. The issues of service connection for a chronic heart disorder and an increased evaluation for low back strain are pending.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for various service-connected conditions and did not grant service connection for a left knee disability or hemorrhoids.