Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a broken right index finger, back disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals were not successful as there was no current evidence of these conditions or a link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected fractured left forearm and clavicle disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for a low back disability. The current evaluations of 10 percent for the forearm fracture and 20 percent for the clavicle fracture are found to be appropriate.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected low back disability.

The Board found no evidence of a current neck disability and denied service connection for the veteran's low back, legs, hips, and groin conditions due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability as a residual of a neck injury sustained on August 13, 1999, finding that there is no medical evidence linking the current low back disability to this incident.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic low back disorder in 1986, concluding that the current condition arose independently of any in-service occurrence or back problems.

The veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain was granted a rating of 40 percent, stomach disorder with scars was granted a rating of 20 percent, right hand fracture was granted a rating of 0 percent, right ankle arthralgia was granted a rating of 10 percent from June 10, 1995 to February 2, 2000 and dismissed thereafter, and TMJ syndrome was granted a rating of 10 percent from June 10, 1995 to February 4, 1997 and dismissed thereafter.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his in-service coccygeal injury and denied service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's fibromyalgia warrants a 40% rating, effective October 20, 2000. The VA examiner found it very likely related to the veteran's military service. Service connection for low back disability is granted.

The appellant is not entitled to reimbursement for the costs associated with a Shamanic Studies workshop, including registration fees and airfare.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable ratings for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to an increased rating.

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

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the veteran's current condition is not causally related to his active military service or an injury incurred during his active military service.

The Board found no evidence of a back disability during service or for decades thereafter, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability. The prostate cancer claim is pending as it relates to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's psychiatric disorder, arthritis of the feet, shoulders, and back disability to service. The claim for hepatitis C was also denied as there is no competent evidence showing a nexus between the condition and service.

The Board found that the veteran's hip, knee, ankle, and lumbar spine disabilities are not proximately due to or the result of military service or service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion and ensuring compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, traumatic macular scar with amblyopia of the left eye, and uveitis of the right eye. The veteran's low back disability is not related to service, his left eye disorder existed prior to entry into service, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that it was aggravated during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for his chronic lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease, as well as service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The initial rating of 10 percent was granted prior to August 6, 2004, but not in excess of that level thereafter.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current low back disorder, and his left shoulder disorder did not increase in severity during service. The Board also found no evidence of a current left knee disorder related to service.