Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for further medical examination and evaluation.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, right knee, and low back conditions have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the current record is insufficient to decide the claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain, and a new VA orthopedic examination is needed. The RO should also obtain all outstanding medical records of the veteran's treatment for his low back.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine due to new and material evidence being submitted. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding no evidence of chronic disability during service or association with service.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal for an increased rating for arthritis of the low back as his death occurred before a decision could be made.

Your claims for service connection are being returned to the RO for additional development. You will be scheduled for a videoconference hearing at the RO.

The Board has denied service connection for back and right thumb disabilities, finding no new evidence to support reopening the claims. The veteran's testimony was previously considered.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 40 percent for residuals of coccygectomy, including chronic lumbosacral strain and right sciatic neuropathy. The current rating of 40 percent has been maintained.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an initial compensable evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were denied. The Board found that there was no current medical diagnosis of PTSD, and the veteran failed to report for VA examinations scheduled in conjunction with his claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and a compensable rating for his lumbosacral strain, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding that it was not related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have arthritis of the hands, and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition. The issue of an increased rating for lumbar disc disease with lumbosacral strain and arthritis is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and an initial noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's current hearing loss is manifested by Level II hearing in the right ear and Level I hearing in the left ear.

The Board has granted the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to provide an opinion on the claims for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, a back condition, and a lung condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining National Guard medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his right thumb disability and current low back and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbosacral myofibrositis and multiple joint pain were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have degenerative disc disease or salpingitis isthmica nodosa with heavy menstruation that is attributable to military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected arthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spines were denied. The RO continued a 20 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected arthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spines in an August 1993 decision, which was upheld by the Board in August 1999.