Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his previously denied secondary service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder. The matter of employability will also be reconsidered.

The VA granted a higher initial evaluation of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected muscle strain of the low back with thoracic scoliosis, which was previously rated as noncompensable.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability, including degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The preponderance of medical evidence is against a finding that his current low back disability is related to his service-connected lymphadenitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder, finding no evidence of an informal claim prior to January 17, 1992.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral knee disability and low back disability are not related to his military service. The claims for these disabilities have been denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and a disability claimed as arthritis of multiple joints, including one related to his lumbar spine. The Board found no current diagnosis of arthritis of all joints or systemic arthritis, and concluded that any arthritis is not secondary to hepatitis C.

The veteran is seeking service connection for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The case has been remanded due to deficiencies in the VA examination report.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a technical problem with the hearing transcript and requests for a new video conference hearing.

The Board denied service connection for a personality disorder, a back condition, and post-operative residuals of the right foot. The issues of service connection for a back condition and a right foot disability are remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran requires regular assistance in most aspects of daily living activities, principally with respect to protection from hazards incident to his daily environment and bathing and ambulating on account of service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that the evidence shows he requires assistance in major aspects of self-care due to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disorder with degenerative joint disease of the left hip, finding that his current conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The VA determined that the veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, hips, and knees is not related to his service or service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the left buttock. The Board agreed with this determination.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence. Service connection for myasthenia gravis is not granted as there is no evidence that it was incurred in service.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for lumbosacral strain, degenerative changes of the left knee, and residuals of a right shoulder fracture were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a video conference hearing at the RO before a VLJ.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for spondylosis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability during service or for many years thereafter, and denied the veteran's claim of service connection for this condition. The sinus issue was remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.