Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The veteran's chronic low back strain is found to be service-connected as it has been continuously present since his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his acquired psychiatric disorder, major depression, was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective June 27, 2005. His claims for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine disability and carpal tunnel syndromes were also granted, but the hearing loss in the left ear remains at a non-compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claim is being remanded for further development to assess his employment capabilities and suitability for vocational rehabilitation training.

The veteran's right hip bursitis was evaluated as noncompensable prior to July 27, 2005. A compensable rating is now granted on and after that date.,Prior to August 13, 2004, the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was rated at 10 percent. On and after that date, a higher disability rating of 20 percent is granted.

The veteran's left hip and leg disorder, diagnosed as trochanteric bursitis, is found to be the direct result of his service-connected residuals of a left knee injury with laxity. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, with a herniated disc, does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The veteran's earlier effective date claims for COPD and TDIU were decided, with the COPD claim granted but the TDIU claim denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left leg disability, low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and right leg disability due to pending procedural and evidentiary development.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the veteran's back condition is not related to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus, PTSD, and chronic back and right knee disabilities are all service-connected. The tongue disorder is also considered service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran's back disability is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability did not originate in or was not aggravated by his active military service. The liver disability claim is pending and will be addressed after a VA examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as it did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of this level.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected left knee arthrosis with degenerative changes is rated at 60 percent effective March 16, 2005. The issue of a higher evaluation for the disability remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's back disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the lumbar spine disability receiving a 20 percent rating and the right knee disability receiving a 30 percent rating.

The Board has found that the veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to an in-service back injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.