Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for residuals of a torn ligament of the left foot and fractured left ankle, as well as for a low back condition. The evidence received since the July 1998 decision is not new and material.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his lumbar spine and right shoulder conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board previously denied the claim for service connection for a back disorder in June 1987, finding no evidence of chronic disability related to service. The RO subsequently denied the reopened claim again in September 1988 and did not provide new or material evidence since then.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for stomach, right knee, low back, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back injury and bilateral leg stress fractures, as well as an increased evaluation for Achilles' tendonitis. The evidence did not support a finding of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology related to these conditions.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease warrants a rating of 20 percent prior to September 23, 2002 and 60 percent from September 23, 2002.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, and a neuromuscular disability involving the lumbar spine due to lack of evidence supporting an in-service injury or chronic condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of herniated discs and traumatic arthritis of the lower lumbar spine due to the veteran's death.

The veteran was granted service connection for herniated discs at T7-T8, L3-L4, and L5-S1, and traumatic arthritis of the lower lumbar spine. The cause of death due to hypertensive vascular disease is also considered service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA records and a need for further medical examination.

The veteran is seeking service connection for neck, back, and head injuries sustained during military service. The RO has requested additional medical records to support his claims.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability related to service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder was denied, and his eligibility for non-service connected pension benefits was also denied. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the basic eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits due to lack of qualifying wartime service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for post-traumatic stress disorder was denied as the evidence did not show a reopening of his previous denial.,The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the current disability level did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable rating schedule.,The veteran's claim to reopen his low back disorder service connection was granted, but he is still awaiting a final determination on whether new and material evidence has been presented.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine effective September 26, 2003. The veteran's left ulnar neuritis is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran seeks an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. The RO has requested additional VA examination and will review the claim based on new schedular criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a stomach ulcer and upper back condition, are denied as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The left ankle condition is granted as secondary to the service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, skin disorder, and low back disorder (claimed as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability) due to lack of evidence establishing a nexus between the current conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected TMJ disorder does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as his inter-incisal range is within the 10 percent evaluation criteria. The low back disability claim was also remanded for further development.