Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The veteran's low back disability, including scoliosis, anterolisthesis, and degenerative changes, has worsened. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the appropriate rating.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current back disorder to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain with diffuse lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease has resulted in muscle spasms, reduced range of motion due to pain, loss of lateral motion with narrowing or irregularity of the joint space, a positive Goldthwait's sign, but no severe lumbosacral strain such as listing of the whole spine to the opposite side. The disability also does not result in incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least four weeks during the past 12 months and has not resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. Therefore, the veteran is entitled to a disability rating of 20 percent for his service-connected condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection was granted as of August 10, 1982 with an effective date of September 12, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disability is related to service and granted service connection for a back disorder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and further investigation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder is granted. The claim for service connection for a back disorder, to include DDD of the lumbar spine, is denied.

The veteran's claims for respiratory, right ankle, cervical spine, low back, and bilateral hip disabilities were denied as they are not service-connected.,Service connection was granted for a left knee arthroplasty (rated at 30%) and residuals of a fracture to the left femur (rated at 10%).

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and sciatica was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to July 28, 2004, or beginning July 28, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disorder is not causally or etiologically related to his military service, including a spinal tap performed during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder to include degenerative disc disease, finding that there was not enough evidence to support her claim.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board found that a lumbosacral spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied the veteran's claim.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has ordered additional examinations and development due to the lack of recent VA examination reports, which are necessary for a proper evaluation of the veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and conducting a VA examination to determine if the veteran's low back disability is related to his service-connected right ankle disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed back and ankle disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for residuals of a head trauma, acquired psychiatric disability, bunions, left hip disability, and low back disability. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the service-connected lumbosacral disc disease with mechanical low back pain, effective September 1, 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gynecological disorder and low back disability are related to service, with the exception of the gynecological disorder which is not currently present. The low back disability is found to be due to a previous injury during active duty.