Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board denied increased disability ratings for migraine headaches and peptic ulcer disease, as well as service connection for joint pain, insomnia, and sinusitis. The veteran's claims were not reopened for a skin condition.

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

The veteran's appeal is about the assignment of an effective date for a 60 percent rating for his service-connected back disability prior to April 25, 2001. The case must be returned for compliance with the Board's remand orders.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected low back disability, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his traumatic arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) as there is no evidence of a relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The veteran's initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine were granted and maintained at 10% from July 17, 2001, to September 25, 2003, and increased to 20% thereafter. The rating for S-1 nerve root irritation affecting the right lower extremity was also granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder has been reopened and granted. His rating for cervical strain remains at 10 percent prior to July 7, 2005, and at 20 percent after that date.

The Board granted the appellant's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The skin condition of the hands and buttocks and furunculosis of the buttocks and groin were not addressed as they are pending issues.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for PTSD and a low back disorder. The decision also noted that the veteran had already received an initial noncompensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, effective from April 13, 1999.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 19, 2003, for a 10 percent rating for sinusitis is granted. His other claims are either denied or continue to be pending based on the evidence currently available.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA orthopedic examination to determine if the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was initially manifested during service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral ingrown toenails and lumbar spine disability are not service-connected, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination, Social Security Administration records, and consideration of revised rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder and psychiatric disorder are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and low back conditions, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for chondromalacia of the left knee. The claims for DJD for multiple joints are being remanded.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision did not address the issues of service connection for right leg varicose veins, stress incontinence, bilateral hearing loss, a low back disability, a right foot heel spur, or hemorrhoids.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine injury or disability during service and concluded that the current cervical spine disabilities are not related to active duty. The veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, diabetes mellitus as a result of service exposure to Agent Orange, impotency due to his service-connected conditions or hypertension. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.