Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims of bilateral pes planus, left shoulder dislocation, and low back disorder.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings are denied as the earliest date of claim is June 11, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and an increased evaluation for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding no evidence of a direct relationship to service. The claim for increased evaluations for post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the knees was not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain was evaluated at a 10 percent rating for the period from October 2, 1997 to October 3, 2004. The claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an increased rating for his lower back disability due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain. However, it is unclear whether the appeal is about service connection at all due to procedural issues.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of injury to the low back and neck, finding that these conditions did not originate in service or within one year thereafter. Service connection for clostridium difficile associated with service-connected chronic sinusitis/allergic rhinitis is pending.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lumbosacral spine disorder or left knee disorder that was incurred in service, and denied the veteran's claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service injury and noting two intercurrent injuries since service.

The Board denied a combined disability rating in excess of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected conditions prior to July 9, 1999.

The VA determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at L4-5 does not warrant an evaluation in excess of a 40 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an increased rating for his surgical scar status post nephropyelolithotomy, and a compensable disability rating for history of nephrolithiasis. The claim for service connection was not granted as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen it.

The Board found no evidence of a current lumbar spine disorder or psychiatric condition related to service, including PTSD. The appellant's claims for these conditions were denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and a skin disorder, as well as his claim for an effective date prior to May 8, 2002, for a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD, were all granted. The skin disorder claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The veteran seeks service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, which he claims was caused by an injury sustained during military service. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his back disability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and is considering it on its merits. The evidence now includes a statement from Dr. Scheig suggesting that the veteran's current low back disorder may be related to an injury sustained during military service, specifically in a motor vehicle accident.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine are being remanded due to a need for proper VCAA notice. His claim for an increased evaluation of his hypertension is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is related to his service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and a left leg disorder that were claimed as secondary to the veteran's service-connected right Achilles tendon bursitis. The claim for an increased rating of the right Achilles tendon bursitis was granted, with November 14, 1994, being assigned as the effective date.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the current ratings and compensation awards.