Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render his previously found rehabilitated occupation unsuitable, and thus denied his claim for additional vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his IVDS of the lumbar spine was denied as there were no incapacitating episodes and the evidence did not reflect severe limitation of motion. His right knee disorder post total right knee arthroplasty was also denied, with a 10 percent deduction for pre-existing disability.

The veteran's low back disability has been rated at 20 percent since April 5, 1994. The RO granted a rating of 40 percent for the veteran's post-operative residuals of a herniated lumbar disc at L5, effective September 23, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for low back, left knee, psychiatric disabilities, and prostate cancer residuals as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for neck and back disorders, left leg and ankle disabilities, or diverticulosis. The veteran's statements were not considered credible medical evidence.

The VA denied service connection for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar segment of the spine, finding that there is no link between these conditions and the veteran's military service. The VA also denied service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and lumbar spine disorders to allow for additional development of the evidence, including a review by another VA physician.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for mechanical low back strain since September 26, 2003. The veteran's condition was previously rated at 20 percent from May 22, 1997 to September 25, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his cervical spine disability, finding that from February 23, 2001 to September 26, 2003, his disability was manifested by moderate limitation of motion and muscle spasm. The Board concluded that these symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than the current 30 percent evaluation.

The veteran's bilateral knee and low back disorders were not found to be related to service or a service-connected disability. The RO denied the claims for increased ratings for left ankle sprain with early degenerative joint disease and peroneal tendonitis.

The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, residuals of a left hip fracture, or low back disability. The claim for lung cancer was denied as it did not manifest within one year after service and there is insufficient evidence linking it to service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back strain but denied service connection for degenerative disc disease and any other disorder of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder secondary to his right thigh fragment wound and for an increased rating for DJD of the right knee with crepitus and limitation of flexion. The RO had previously granted service connection for DJD of the right knee, but did not grant any additional compensation based on the veteran's claimed low back disability.

The veteran's low back disability is currently manifested by pain, moderate limitation of motion, degenerative disc and joint disease with mild impairment of all nerves of the right lower extremity. The RO has granted a rating of 50 percent for his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and a right hip condition. However, the Board found insufficient evidence to establish service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy, but denied any increase in rating.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions and denied the veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before it can adjudicate the issues on appeal, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for examinations to assess the veteran's hemorrhoids and postoperative septorhinoplasty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and diffuse mild disc bulge at L4-L5 warrants a 20 percent rating, reflecting muscle spasm on extreme forward bending and loss of lateral spine motion.