Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease, L4-L5, L5-S1, with sciatic neuritis. The claim will be re-adjudicated based on both old and new rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and any bilateral knee condition secondary to that disability. The RO will also review the claims file to ensure all relevant evidence has been considered.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The RO also denied an increased rating for PTSD from October 15, 2002.

The veteran's compression deformity of the first lumbar vertebra with thoracic scoliosis and leg length discrepancy has been rated at 20 percent since June 1997.

The Board granted the veteran's claim and assigned July 13, 1985 as the effective date for the award of service connection for a low back disorder. The initial disability rating was increased to 20 percent from July 13, 1985, to January 27, 1994.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, right knee disability, and a higher initial rating for low back strain. The veteran's low back strain was rated at 20 percent disabling from August 15, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service medical records and VA medical records.

The veteran's service-connected cervical strain, left hip fracture, and left shoulder bursitis have been granted increased ratings. Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has not been established.

The veteran is entitled to an effective date of August 3, 1999 for the assignment of a 60 percent rating for his service-connected low back disorder and TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, depression, a cervical spine disorder, and urinary incontinence and gross hematuria as secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board has denied all three issues related to service connection due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease and no current disability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a low back disability and remanded it for further development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for mechanical low back pain and intervertebral disc syndrome were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, finding that there was no evidence linking the current conditions to a 1972 injury during active duty.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, resulting in a denial.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and degenerative changes in the lumbar spine as secondary to a service-connected injury. The veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected status post-left fibular fracture with traumatic arthritis of the tibiotalar joint.

The veteran's left ankle disability was granted service connection and rated at 20 percent from May 30, 2000 to August 11, 2004. The rating for the left ankle disability was increased to 30 percent effective December 1, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran was found to have arthritis of the lumbar spine, but no direct link between his active duty and this condition. His bilateral hearing loss was also not considered service-connected.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbosacral strain from August 13, 2002 to September 25, 2003 was denied as there was no showing of muscle spasm on extreme forward bending or unilateral loss of lateral spine motion. The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbosacral strain from September 26, 2003 is pending and will be addressed after additional evidence is obtained.