Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition and denied his request for an increased rating for anxiety state, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims. The veteran's anxiety is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board found no evidence of an etiological link between the claimed psychiatric disorder and ACDUTRA, nor did it find any evidence that the neck/back disorder was incurred during ACDUTRA. As such, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine warrants a 60 percent disability rating, which is the maximum available under current VA regulations.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbar spine injury does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and degenerative disc disease with spondylosis and chronic low back strain, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, were denied due to failure to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes was granted, and he is now rated at 20 percent. Separate ratings of 10 percent each were assigned for peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a cervical spine disorder, finding that the veteran's current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's low back strain (superimposed on scoliosis of the spine), finding that his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for his low back disability, finding that the current 60 percent rating adequately reflects the severity and manifestations of his condition.

The Board found no evidence of a disorder of the low back and legs in service, and no competent evidence connecting it to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, left knee stiffness, and hypertension were denied. The claim for an increased rating for chronic low back strain was remanded.,Service connection was not granted for a right ankle lump or mitral valve prolapse.

The veteran's PTSD and lumbosacral spine disability were granted increased ratings, while his left ear hearing loss was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for burn scars to the buttocks, PTSD, and a low back disorder due to lack of competent evidence of current disabilities.,There is no current diagnosis of burn scars to the buttocks or PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration under both old and new rating criteria.

The Board found no evidence of current back, cervical spine, right knee, or right hip disorders related to service. The veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed conditions, including arthritis of the shoulders, cervical and lumbar disc disease, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are related to his active service. The appeal is granted for these issues.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disorder in service or for many years thereafter, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine (secondary to left thigh disorder), rosacea, and blepharitis and trichiasis in both eyes. The claim for service connection for a left hip disorder was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed back, hip, ankle, foot, and right knee disorders are not related to her service-connected left knee injury. The claims for secondary service connection have been denied.