Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The veteran's lumbar strain and myositis are productive of severe limitation of motion, warranting a disability rating of 40 percent.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for rupture of the left Achilles tendon and bilateral hearing loss were denied. Service connection was not established for tendonitis of the left elbow, disability of the thoracic spine, disability of the left great toe, or disability of the right shoulder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for mechanical low back pain, hypertension, and right shoulder impingement syndrome were all denied. The Board found no evidence of underlying disabilities that would support these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected back disability has not resulted in the loss of use of his feet or hands, and thus denied his claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his lumbar spine disability and upper back strain with radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied all claims, including the initial rating for PTSD and the initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection was also denied for asthma, DDD/DJD of the lumbar spine, and steatocystoma multiplex.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for bilateral wrist weakness, head pain, chest pain, foot pain, leg pain, knee pain, and neck pain are all denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a higher rating of the veteran's low back disability due to additional development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, a back disability, and a disability manifested by headaches are denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The veteran's low back disability warrants a 40 percent rating for limitation of motion of the spine and a separate 10 percent rating for impairment of the right sciatic nerve.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA records and a need for further examination. The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is pending.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability warranted a 40 percent evaluation effective March 21, 2005. Prior to this date, his disability was rated at 40 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, with no higher rating granted under the old criteria for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).,The veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for his fibromyalgia effective November 20, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed back and neck disabilities, as well as his hypertension, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for residuals of chronic fibromyositis, lumbar and gluteal muscles and for special monthly pension (SMP). The SMP claim was remanded due to procedural issues.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for his low back strain, effective May 14, 2000.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral degenerative joint and disc disease with mild wedge compression fracture of T12 was granted, but the appeal regarding service connection for a cervical spine disorder is still pending.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.