Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and bilateral high frequency hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and conducting examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, right knee chondromalacia, left knee chondromalacia, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic cervical spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, finding that these conditions originated during active service. The issue of the veteran's entitlement to an increased evaluation for his L1 vertebral fracture residuals and lumbar degenerative disc disease is remanded.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee osteoarthritis. The evidence shows that he currently suffers from lumbosacral neuritis and that this condition is proximately due to his service-connected bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. The RO has ordered further VA examinations to assess the severity and extent of this disability, as well as any neurological impairment associated with it.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression, a low back disability, a hip disability, and hepatitis C. The evidence does not support these claims.,Service connection was denied because there is no competent evidence linking any of these conditions to service or to a service connected disability.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including total abdominal hysterectomy, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative arthritis of both hands, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for mechanical low back pain. Service connection is denied for right thigh and right elbow disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation than the current 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a failure to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) after receiving new evidence. The veteran's claims regarding his bilateral knee disability and low back disability are still pending.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal, lower back, and upper back disorders due to incomplete development of medical records and need for further examination.

The VA has increased the initial rating for the veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability from 20% to 40%, effective January 22, 2003.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for hypertension, hepatitis, hiatal hernia, and onychomycosis of the left great toe. The claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine strain was reopened based on new evidence showing current disability.

The Board found that there is no competent and probative evidence relating a current low back disorder to an injury or disease incurred in military service.

The veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and L5-S1 is currently rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under the old criteria for intervertebral disc syndrome. The Board finds no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis to warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for frostbite residuals of the feet and a back disorder, finding that these conditions are related to in-service injuries. The veteran's current foot disorders are considered at least as likely as not due to cold injury sustained during service, while his back disorder is found to be unrelated to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between his current back pain and his active military service.

The veteran's low back disability, hip disability and gastrointestinal disorder are all found to be related to his military service.