Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, TDIU, and service connection for bilateral hip, knee, low back, and arthritis disabilities were denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claims.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain warrants a rating of 40 percent, effective since service connection has been in effect.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain and hypertension, with a 20 percent evaluation assigned for lumbosacral strain effective prior to September 26, 2003.

The veteran's claims of service connection for disorders of the head, neck, low back, bilateral knees and hips, claimed as residuals of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in service, were denied. The Board also found that his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a chronic back disorder and chronic headaches, finding that his pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service or as a result of service.

The Board found that the veteran did not incur a low back disorder during service and there is no evidence linking it to his active duty. The VA examiner concluded that the current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine is not related to the veteran's period of military service.

The Board granted an increased initial rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected thoracic spine injury residuals and a non-compensable rating for his lumbosacral strain. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service.,There is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability, which includes post-operative residuals of a lumbosacral laminectomy and fusion, does not warrant an increased rating beyond 20 percent.

The Board has vacated the previous denial of service connection for a low back disorder due to an incomplete evidentiary record. The veteran's carotidynia and variously diagnosed respiratory disorders are not shown to be related to his military service, while his low back disorder is not shown to have been manifested in service or related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is related to a lifting injury sustained during active duty for training in February 1989, and service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for lumbosacral strain as no new and material evidence was received.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development of his claims, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities as well as his hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to September 26, 2003 and after that date.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee condition, bilateral wrist condition, and a back condition.,There is no evidence linking the appellant's current conditions to her military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back injury and a stomach ulcer, finding no evidence of a chronic disorder in service or continuity of symptomatology thereafter. The Board also found that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between any current disorders and military service.