Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a rescheduled hearing. The claims of service connection for PTSD and reopening the claim for low back disorder will be further evaluated after the scheduled hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected back disability is manifested by severe limitation of motion accompanied by a moderate degree of lumbar paravertebral muscle spasm, and thus denied an increased evaluation beyond 40 percent.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, low back disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The VA denied a higher evaluation for the veteran's low back strain, maintaining a 20% disability rating since September 29, 2000.

The veteran's right knee disorder is now rated at 30 percent, effective from October 1, 2002. His low back disorder with spondylolisthesis remains at a 40 percent rating.

The case is being remanded for further development and a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for the service-connected low back disability on and after January 15, 2003. The veteran's right knee arthritis is rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease has been rated at 40 percent since December 17, 1999. The RO found that the condition met the criteria for a 40 percent rating based on severe limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective from March 12, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain does not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent, as it did not meet the criteria for more severe disability or ankylosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service or due to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only.

The veteran's claims for service connection for back disability and heart disease are being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical examinations.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his back disability has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities do not warrant an increased rating in excess of the current ratings.

The case is being remanded for further evaluation of the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, including consideration of any neurological disorders.