Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for service connection for back disability and PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities. The claim for PTSD remains pending due to the need to verify stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tendonitis of the elbows, bilateral Achilles tendonitis, and degenerative arthritis of the shoulders, cervical spine, and lumbar spine are all service-connected.

The Board denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain, finding that the schedular criteria did not meet the requirement for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of lumbosacral strain. The veteran was awarded a noncompensable evaluation for his ganglion cyst and a 10% evaluation for patellofemoral syndrome from November 3, 1995 to March 7, 2004, and a 20% evaluation thereafter. His claim for an increased rating for patellofemoral syndrome was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing back and pelvis condition, characterized as a lumbosacral strain, was aggravated during service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbosacral strain, currently rated at 20 percent. The RO found that the veteran's disability did not meet criteria warranting a higher rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic acquired low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to active service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied a higher rating for residuals of a fractured mandible. The low back disorder claim is remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability incurred in service and denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus.

The VA denied an increased rating for arthritis of the lumbar spine, as the veteran's range of motion did not meet criteria for higher ratings due to lack of incapacitating episodes or pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a low back injury and granted service connection. The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, effective from August 2000.

The veteran's lumbar spine disorder was granted service connection effective July 1, 1945. The April 1960 rating decision severing this condition from service connection is found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar stenosis and determined that the veteran's current spinal condition is related to his period of active service. The issue of a temporary total disability rating for convalescence following surgery for lumbar stenosis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete information about the veteran's service dates and need for a VA examination regarding his claimed disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of revised rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected myositis of the lumbar paravertebral musculature is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings, finding that his low back disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from April 29, 1998 to March 16, 2003 and in excess of 60 percent on and after March 17, 2003.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination, and no new evidence was presented.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to warrant reopening the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee, back, hearing loss, or tinnitus disorder in service and denied the veteran's claims for these conditions.