Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain with arthritis does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is shown to manifest with moderate limitation of motion and grants an increased evaluation to 20 percent effective from the date of the claim (as no specific effective date was provided in the decision).

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of head trauma, low back disorder, and aseptic necrosis of each hip resulting from total hip replacements. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are not related to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The veteran is service connected for prostate cancer, rated as 60 percent disabling. The RO has granted a TDIU based on this disability. However, the issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remains pending and must be remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic back disorder is not service-connected as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease leading to his current condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current arthritis or a back disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's claim for increased rating of PTSD is granted, and he remains rated at 30% for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The claims for disability of the lumbosacral spine and right knee are addressed in a separate remand.

The veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine with residuals and spinal stenosis is being remanded due to a lack of VA treatment records from June 2003 to date, and notification regarding disability rating criteria and effective dates.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a disability associated with high cholesterol levels and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the veteran's current low back disability is related to a fracture of his right tibia or ankle during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding no legal basis for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbosacral and thoracic strain are being remanded to obtain additional evidence, including updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for the service-connected back disability, effective from November 1990. The rating for PTSD was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current spinal disabilities are incurred in service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions. However, there is no evidence of a psychiatric disorder related to service or ACDUTRA, so service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disability and hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's right ankle arthritis is currently rated at the maximum 20 percent evaluation.,The veteran's right ankle instability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for otitis externa, multiple joint pains of the left and right knees, left ankle, and right hip. The claim for an initial compensable rating for varicocele of the left testicle was dismissed due to lack of a timely substantive appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding no medical evidence linking his current condition to service.