Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board found that the reduction of the veteran's evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine from 60 percent to 20 percent was proper. The claim for an increased rating for this disability has not been met.

The Board granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, PTSD, diabetic neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, hypertension, and IBS. The initial evaluations were assigned based on the severity of each condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is related to an injury sustained during her active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the May 1988 rating decision, which denied service connection for residuals of a low back injury, is final. New and material evidence was not received since then to reopen the claim.

The veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such assistance due to his current service-connected disabilities. However, he is eligible for adaptive equipment only.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for status post low back injury, laminectomy L-5/S-1, lateral recess decompression with facetectomy, foraminotomy, neurolysis of L-5/S-1, left, and lumbar laminectomy with subtotal medial facetectomy and discectomy, L-5/S-1, right. The claim is granted as the veteran's current back problems are service-connected.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation and adjudication due to unclear characterization of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, including degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, with sacroiliac strain, is service-connected as it had its onset during his active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his lumbosacral strain and neurodermatitis, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disability, including lumbar paravertebral myositis, spondylotic changes at L5, history of low back strain, and radiculopathy at L4-5, is related to service. The hearing loss claim remains pending as it involves a question of medical causation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disorders, including arthritis, are not related to his in-service automobile accident or service. Therefore, these conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the occurrence of an in-service physical assault and its impact on the veteran's current psychiatric condition. The RO is instructed to obtain additional medical records, arrange for VA examinations, and provide the veteran with another opportunity to submit information and/or evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, residuals of a supraspinatus tear of the right shoulder, and residuals of right knee cartilage repair with degenerative joint disease were denied as there was no evidence meeting the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current back disorder is not related to his in-service injury or any surgeries for pilonidal cysts, and thus service connection cannot be established.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between each condition and active service.

The veteran's initial service connection for mechanical low back pain was granted in January 2002 with a 10 percent disability rating. The appeal is about the appropriate disability rating, and additional evidence is needed to determine if the current condition warrants an increase beyond the existing 10 percent rating.

The veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for traumatic hematuria and a higher evaluation for his left knee injury are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran seeks service connection for a low back disorder, claimed as intervertebral disc syndrome. The Board has determined that an examination is needed to determine the etiology and onset of any current low back disability.