Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and spine conditions have been denied by the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected conditions, including hypertensive arteriosclerotic heart disease, degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, arthritis of the right shoulder, maxillary sinusitis, and right inguinal hernia. The assigned disability ratings were not higher than what was currently in effect.

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

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder but denied service connection for right ulnar neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back and right index finger disorders are not related to military service, and evidence does not show the presence of arthritis within one year from the date of separation from service. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current low back and psychiatric disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service.

The Board has granted an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right great toe disability, but denied service connection for back and left hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to issues related to reopening service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss and cerebrovascular accident. The case must be reviewed de novo.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection for left hip disability and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacrum as secondary to service-connected residuals of a left fibula fracture.

The veteran's service-connected myasthenia gravis and lumbosacral strain have been granted increased ratings, with the initial rating for myasthenia gravis set at 30 percent and the initial rating for lumbosacral strain also set at 10 percent, both effective from October 1, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining inpatient hospital records from Womack Army Hospital and issuing a Statement of the Case on the increased rating claim.

The veteran seeks compensation for a low back disability, claimed under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 as secondary to VA treatment. The appeal is remanded due to errors in the application of laws and regulations.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and left ankle sprain are currently rated at the maximum allowable evaluations, with no further increase granted.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disorder present in service or related to service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected low back strain, right ankle strain, scar of the left index finger, and recurrent urticaria. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a scar on the cornea of the right eye was remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain, finding that the veteran's symptoms are caused by a post-service herniated disk rather than his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the veteran's employability.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, migraine headaches, and blurred vision. The claim for an increased evaluation of right ear hearing loss was not addressed as it is considered part of the same appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to service or his service-connected gout, and thus denied the claim for service connection.