Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and headaches, finding that the conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability, including degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions are more likely due to the veteran's age and obesity rather than any incident during his military service.

The veteran's bilateral knee and low back disabilities are found to be service-connected. The tinea pedis claim is dismissed as the veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for any of the claimed conditions and denied all claims.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the residuals of a Pott's fracture, effective from December 20, 2000. The veteran's low back and left knee disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has found that the veteran's CTS in both hands and wrists, lower back disability including sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and sinusitis are all service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's right eye disorder and low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability and Gilbert's Disease were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to herbicides. The claims are therefore denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical records from private physicians and the Social Security Administration.

The veteran's cervical strain/sprain with elements of myofascial pain syndrome and lumbosacral strain are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees and lumbosacral spine, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a right foot disability, finding no direct relationship to the veteran's active duty service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that either condition was incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left hallux valgus, as well as service connection for multiple joint arthritis (including lumbar spine), were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the hallux valgus disabilities or establish service connection for the multiple joint arthritis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty and is not related to service. As a result, service connection for a back disability is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae and residuals of a lumbar spine injury were denied. The Board found that the conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and lumbar spine disability is not warranted as the conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Board found that the appellant's back disability, hepatitis C, and PTSD were not incurred or aggravated during service. The current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that it is related to the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability. The lumbar spine disability and increased evaluation for the left shoulder disability are still pending issues.

The Board found no evidence of a back disability being incurred or aggravated in service, and the appellant's congenital condition was not shown to have been aggravated by military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated during service and denied his claim.