Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is not related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and his right knee arthritis does not warrant an increased evaluation. The veteran's service-connected disorders do not render him unemployable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, cluster headaches, chronic bronchitis, scoliosis of the lumbar spine, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of the wrists, hands, shoulders, back and hips. The medical opinions obtained do not support a link between her service or her service-connected bilateral knee disorder and any currently diagnosed disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain warrants a 20 percent rating, reflecting severe disability with forward flexion of the cervical spine not exceeding 15 degrees.

The Board dismissed the appeal for lack of timely notice of disagreement regarding service connection for left hip and back disabilities. The veteran's bilateral hip and low back conditions are not considered to be aggravated by a 1986 incident during Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA).

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the RO. The issue of service connection for a low back disorder remains pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or during an applicable presumptive period. The Board also found that the veteran did not establish a link between his current low back disorder and his service-connected right knee disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, low back disorder, PTSD, malaria, and right wrist fracture residuals. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a TDIU rating.

The veteran's lumbar disc disease was rated at 40 percent since September 23, 2002. He is entitled to a separate 10 percent rating for mild incomplete bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve paralysis since September 26, 2003.

The veteran's service-connected cervical degenerative disc disease was not manifested by ankylosis or severe limitation of motion from January 2, 2001 to September 25, 2003. From September 26, 2003, the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on forward flexion being reduced to 15 degrees or less.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have residuals of cold injuries to the feet and hands, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The issue of a low back disorder remains pending as it requires further development.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with arthritis, currently rated at 20 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as it shows only mild neurological signs and symptoms.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, hypertension, tension headaches, cervical and lumbar strains, toenail fungus, neuropathy, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a finger disability, were denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The case is now remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and for a low back disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, finding no current disabilities or objective evidence of chronicity.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 20, 2000 for service connection for diabetes, lumbosacral strain, right and left foot polyneuropathy, and a right hand disability.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for any of his claimed conditions, as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including avascular necrosis of the hips and knees, a left knee disorder, low back disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral foot blisters. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.