Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder, headaches, and increased ratings for left wrist arthritis and residuals of a left wrist fracture with median nerve palsy. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including examinations and clarification of opinions regarding his PTSD and lumbar spine disability.

The veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective October 8, 2003. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were not supported by the evidence of record, resulting in a denial.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking a current neck disorder to service, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The veteran was granted service connection for degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine with an effective date of March 8, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome. The criteria for a higher rating were not met in any of these cases.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for pernicious anemia. As a result, no disability rating or effective date will be assigned.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 10 percent for his lumbar spine disorder, finding that since January 1, 2002, his disability has been manifested by chronic low back pain and intermittent episodes of increased pain, weakness, and spasms without limitation of motion or evidence of incapacitating episodes.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to a disease or injury of service origin. The Board also noted that degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine may not be presumed to be related to service, and the current back disorder does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in the prior rating decision and a need for new and material evidence. The veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus is being considered, as well as his secondary service connection claim for a back disorder.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with severe limitation of motion does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board is remanding all three claims to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) for further action. The veteran has requested a videoconference hearing, and this must be scheduled before deciding these appeals.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee injury with arthritis and service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and muscle strain of the lower back as secondary to his right knee disability were denied. The RO found that there was no evidence of limitation of motion or instability warranting a higher rating, and that the veteran's conditions are not related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical records do not provide sufficient information to make a determination on the increased evaluations for low back strain and GERD. The appeal is REMANDED to allow for further evaluation.

The Board has found that the veteran submitted new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection of a low back disorder. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability, which includes right sacroiliitis and degenerative disc disease, warrants a 10 percent rating based on moderate limitation of motion. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The VA determined that the veteran's traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back and cardiovascular disorders are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to an in-service injury and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hip, and low back disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service or any service-connected disability.