Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the veteran's back disability, concluding that continuity of symptoms from service was not shown and there is no competent evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's low back strain, finding that prior to June 1, 2004, his condition was manifested by chronic pain and moderate limitation of motion without abnormal gait or objective evidence of muscle spasm. From June 1, 2004 forward, his condition has been characterized by chronic pain, limitation of motion, and muscle spasms with flexion beyond 30 degrees.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The veteran was not granted service connection for a headache condition, hypertension, low back disability, cervical spine disability, shoulder disability, or left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a left ankle, left knee, or other left leg disorder that is related to service. The back disorder was also found not to be related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling the veteran for VA examinations to assess his current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and have therefore denied all claims for service connection.

Effective September 1, 2002, the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine strain with diffuse spondylosis is rated at 40 percent, which is the highest rating available for severe lumbosacral strain.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left leg, right leg, and lumbosacral spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran has a chronic low back disability and whether it is related to service. The case will be remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and low back pain, assigning a 10 percent disability rating effective February 25, 1997. The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for gastrointestinal problems secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied an effective date prior to January 10, 2003 for service connection for a scar from a residual shell fragment wound on the left side of the head.,The Board also denied an effective date prior to January 10, 2003 for service connection for a scar from a residual shell fragment wound on the lumbar region.

The Board denied the veteran's request for extension of a temporary total evaluation beyond July 31, 2004 for left knee replacement surgery. The issues of service connection for right and low back disabilities are remanded.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or home adaptation grant due to his right-sided weakness and need for a wheelchair, which are attributed to a stroke rather than his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 8, 1998 for a 40 percent evaluation for spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine, L5 on S1 with disc space narrowing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his low back disorder, finding that he was not entitled to a rating higher than 40 percent on and after June 21, 2005. The claim is also denied for a rating higher than 20 percent prior to June 21, 2005.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for a lumbar spine disorder is denied as he failed to report for necessary VA medical examinations without good cause.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, gastrointestinal disability, and hiatal hernia. The ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities have also been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active duty service or exposure to herbicide agents, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and secondary service connection for dysthymic disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity in service or continuity of symptoms after discharge.