Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right foot disorder, left foot disorder, and asthma. However, these claims were denied on the merits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence linking the veteran's current low back disorder to his military service. The veteran needs to provide medical records from St. Agnes Hospital and undergo a VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current low back or right hip disabilities, and his depression is not service-connected. The claims for secondary service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder must be remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional development, including obtaining employment records and medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right middle finger disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as it is not tender or restricts movement. The lower back and hip disabilities are currently rated appropriately.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic low back strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease is not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or abnormal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis. No incapacitating events have been shown.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an ear disorder, residuals of sunburn, and a back disability. The claim for PTSD is being remanded due to incomplete records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine and pelvis strain, right upper extremity disorder, and TDIU. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability were denied. The lumbar spine, right shoulder, right foot, and left knee disabilities are rated at the highest possible levels under the applicable criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine warrants an initial 40 percent evaluation, effective from April 1997.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims of service connection for stomach, right knee, low back, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing current disability or a link between service and these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for chronic lumbar strain, chronic thoracic strain, and pelvic adhesive disease claimed as due to undiagnosed illness during active duty in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the veteran's current low back disability and his military service. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and unreviewed medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with muscle spasm warrants a 20 percent rating, reflecting severe lumbosacral strain.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and reflux disease, finding no evidence of a current disability related to her period of active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for a right foot disorder, low back disorder, and right hip disorder as these conditions are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for a back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.