Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder and bilateral leg disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The VA examinations did not support his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical evaluation of the veteran's lumbar radiculitis with herniated disc at L5-S1.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder and back disabilities are not caused or made worse by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating, secondary service connection, and direct service connection for his ankle disorders. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, high frequency hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and residuals of prostate cancer. The veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, left shoulder, and right knee were not found to be related to his active duty service.

The veteran's increased rating claims for lumbar scoliosis with degenerative changes and cervical spine disorders are being remanded. Additionally, the service connection claims for left hearing loss and tinnitus are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for residuals of a low back injury. The heart murmur claim remains pending as it requires further medical examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is a result of his service-connected ankle/foot degenerative joint disease and resultant abnormal gait.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a back disability, a left leg disability, and a left foot disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The VA denied a higher disability rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right inguinal hernia repair and an increased rating for the veteran's lumbar spine injury. The veteran is now entitled to compensation for his right inguinal hernia, and his current disability rating for his low back condition will be adjusted.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeals regarding effective dates for service connection and disability ratings, as these issues are not within its jurisdiction due to the finality of previous RO decisions.

The veteran seeks service connection for a low back disability that she claims is secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability. The Board has determined that further development of the record, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an examination by an orthopedic specialist, is necessary before deciding this claim.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine with peripheral neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and for obtaining additional medical records.

The veteran was awarded a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective from May 26, 1998. The effective date is being set at September 10, 1990, but no earlier.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a chronic left ankle disorder and a chronic back disorder. The case is REMANDED for further development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been evaluated as noncompensable. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation for any of his conditions.