Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and increased ratings for her service-connected knees were denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disability during active duty or within one year after separation, and concluded that the current low back disability is not related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lumbar disc disease is related to service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's low back injury, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a special VA orthopedic examination of the veteran's low back to determine if his low back disability is related to service-connected conditions or other incidents during service.

The Board has granted service connection for the appellant's right hip and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to her military service.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits has been granted due to his age, disability severity, and inability to work. The other issues related to service connection have not yet been addressed.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased evaluations due to a lack of recent VA examinations and incomplete VCAA notice.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was dismissed due to the death of the veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for gastrointestinal, cervical spine, lumbar spine, thoracic spine, and right leg piriformis syndrome. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability, characterized by symptoms such as pain and mild spasm, has been rated at 20 percent under the old rating schedule for spine disabilities. The Board found that this level of impairment more closely approximates moderate intervertebral disc syndrome with recurring attacks.

The Board found that the incisional hernia resulting from the veteran's right adrenal mass surgery was a foreseeable consequence of the procedure and denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability, right knee medial meniscus repair, and GERD do not warrant higher initial evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a back disability and denied his request for an increased rating for his duodenal ulcer.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the service-connected lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and associated radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities effective from September 23, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records from Dr. E., and readjudicating the claim of service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability during service and insufficient medical evidence to link the current condition to service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's DJD of the left knee, right knee, and lumbosacral spine are related to service. However, there is no evidence linking rheumatoid arthritis to service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain with limitation of motion warrants a 20 percent disability rating, which is the maximum available under current criteria.