Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disorder is not related to service, specifically the 1970 car accident. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found no direct or indirect relationship between the veteran's lumbar spine disability and her service-connected left knee injury, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating, as it did not result in severe limitation of motion.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back sprain, finding that there is no ratable symptomatology associated with his condition.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected chronic low back pain, effective November 17, 2005. The claimant was previously rated at 10 percent prior to this date.

The veteran's appeal for higher ratings for her service-connected headache disorder and upper back disability has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine disability is attributable to injuries sustained during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with lumbar disc disease is moderately disabling under the old schedule for rating spine disabilities, warranting a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and back disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen these claims. The Board also found that there is no basis to establish service connection for the back disorder.

The Board denied all service connection claims, finding no new and material evidence for the back disorder claim and concluding that none of the other conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with arthritis, effective June 2003. The claim for an increased rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected low back strain with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses for skin cancer, renal dysfunction (claimed as hematuria), a back condition, bilateral eye condition, hypertension, or heart condition. Therefore, service connection is denied for all of these claims.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and low back disabilities, both claimed as secondary to service-connected varicose veins of the left lower extremity. The case is now pending with the RO for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being referred back to the RO for additional development of her claims, including obtaining missing VA clinical records from Jackson and Biloxi facilities. The case will be remanded again if necessary.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed right knee and back disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected disorder. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected low back disability, effective to the date of claim; July 1, 1997.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a low back disability related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantial gainful occupation prior to December 1, 2000. Therefore, the claim for an earlier effective date is denied.