Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU rating, finding that he did not become individually unemployable from a service-connected low back disability within the year preceding February 5, 2002.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to her current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence, including notification regarding service connection for cervical and lumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylosis secondary to service-connected cerebral palsy.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral degenerative joint and disc disease with sciatic neuritis, effective from March 7, 2005. The maximum schedular evaluation under DC 5293 is assigned for the period prior to September 23, 2002, and the same 60 percent rating is assigned on and after September 23, 2002.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The VA determined that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current disc disease of the lumbar spine to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, hip disability, increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, and laxity of the left knee. The decision also confirmed and continued the current noncompensable rating for pulmonary pleural plaquing.

The Board determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability does not warrant an increased rating higher than 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of the currently assigned disability ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability, concluding that his current condition is not related to his active military service.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's current low back disability and his military service, including any period of active duty. The most persuasive medical opinion was against the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and have denied each of the issues on appeal.

The veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which represents the maximum schedular rating available under the criteria in effect prior to September 26, 2003. The claim for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for traumatic thoracic myelopathy and service connection for lumbosacral spine pain, status post laminectomy. The veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular rating for his service-connected condition.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective date and higher rating for low back strain, as well as his claims for service connection of a skin disorder, chronic fatigue, and arthritis in the knees are being remanded due to procedural errors and need for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for cervical disc disease and low back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for cervical disc disease. The Board also found that the veteran did not have a low back disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma, including as secondary to herbicide exposure, was denied.,The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for a 100% evaluation of PTSD, service connection of leg fracture residuals, and low back disability were also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service and arthritis was not manifested within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication due to incomplete records and insufficient examination. The veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is being reopened.