Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder disorder and low back strain, as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's claim for an increased rating as he failed to provide necessary private medical records and did not demonstrate good cause for his failure.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of hemorrhoids. The case is being remanded to the AOJ for further development regarding the low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for spine injury and lumbar disc disease. The RO is instructed to seek additional medical opinions from a qualified physician.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, chronic snoring, gastric reflux disorder, and right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, warranting service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease warrants a 20 percent evaluation, effective from June 1, 1998.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed back condition, bilateral nephrolithiasis, and depressive disorder were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the veteran's back condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his fibromyalgia, cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, left ankle disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is found to be directly related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine remains at 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service injury and his current condition. The VA examiner concluded that it was less likely than not that the veteran's current low back disability is related to his service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain was denied as the evidence did not show more than moderate intervertebral disc syndrome or severe lumbosacral strain prior to September 23, 2002. The current range of motion findings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for DJD and DDD of the lumbar spine, finding it related to an in-service truck accident.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal ulcer disease and a disorder of the lumbar spine (previously diagnosed as right sciatic neuropathy). The other issues were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to clarify diagnoses and provide nexus opinions regarding any residuals from an in-service auto accident.

The veteran's GSW of the right forearm (major) Muscle Group V is currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting moderate impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination, and the veteran's representative is advised of their right to respond to a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board found that the veteran's upper back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent prior to December 26, 2000 and 60 percent since then.