Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for lumbar spine myofascial pain syndrome with intervertebral disc syndrome, effective from the date of the decision. The veteran's neurological symptoms were also rated as secondary to this condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for proper VCAA notification and to schedule a VA examination for his PTSD.

The Board found no link between the veteran's current back disability and his active duty service, concluding that the preponderance of evidence demonstrated there was no connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees and back disorder are not related to service, nor were they due to a pre-existing condition. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed dyshidrosis of the right foot, residuals of a spider bite, was not incurred in active military service and therefore denied service connection.

The Board granted a higher rating of 60 percent for the service-connected cervical spine disability, manifested by cervical spondylosis with C6-7 radiculopathy. The disability is characterized by pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome with persistent symptoms including constant pain, stiffness and limitation of motion.

The Board determined that the veteran's low back disability, including spondylitis, was incurred during service and granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have migraine headaches or a back disability that may be attributed to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a back condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, or skin condition of the face as a result of his service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gout, interstitial fibrosis, a skin condition, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disability. The decision found that gout was not related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and residuals of a chronic lumbar strain, including herniated lumbar discs, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, lower extremity muscle weakness, and cervical myelopathy at C3-C4, all secondary to his service-connected coccygodynia.

The Board finds that the veteran's current low back disorder is related to his service, specifically a strain he sustained during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support reopening of his claim for hepatitis C and denied all other claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for low back disability. The Board also found that the veteran's current low back disability is related to an injury sustained during active duty in 1956, which meets the criteria for direct service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The veteran's service-connected low back disorder and psychiatric disorder make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back strain, right knee PFS, and atrial fibrillation. The criteria for a higher rating were not met in any of these cases.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and left knee disorder, as well as his claim for an increased rating for right knee arthritis with post-operative residuals of an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between the veteran's current complaints and any inservice injuries.

The veteran's DDD at L4-5 is productive of muscle spasm, bilateral absent ankle jerk, radicular syndrome and severe pain. The Board finds that the medical evidence supports a 60 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination.