Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder and tinnitus residuals are not service-connected, with no compensable evaluations assigned.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disorder, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is related to service. However, interstitial fibrosis (claimed as asbestosis) was not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, L4-L5 and L5-S1, with radiculopathy and spondylosis and degenerative joint disease.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and residuals of a punctured right ear drum. The reopened claims are both granted.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus, low back disability, heart disorder (pericarditis), bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and hallux valgus of the feet. The veteran's preexisting conditions were not shown to be aggravated by military service.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability from December 1, 1998 to November 13, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of the cervical or lumbar spines, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected low back disability, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been rated as they are, with no additional ratings granted.

The Board found that the service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to the veteran's death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's claims for residuals, shrapnel wound, right leg; jungle rot of the feet; and a back condition are denied as not shown during service or related to service.

The Board denied service connection for DJD of the lumbar spine and left SI joint, a skin condition, and PTSD. The veteran's claims were not granted.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for low back disability, finding that new and material evidence has been presented.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for this condition. For the low back disability, the Board concluded there is no evidence of a current disability related to in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen her claim of service connection for low back disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current back disability and denied his claim for service connection for a cervical disability.

The veteran's low back disability with left leg radiculopathy, bilateral pes planus, and left hip disability were all granted. However, the veteran was denied increased ratings for these conditions. The veteran also received service connection for bilateral pes planus but not for a psychiatric condition or a left leg disability secondary to his hip disability.

The VA denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected lumbar laminectomy and left ankle arthrotomy, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The RO found that the veteran's conditions did not meet criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.