Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an increased rating for chronic lumbar strain, and an increased rating for hypopigmented scarring due to undiagnosed rash. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for his left leg disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, headache disability, and skin disorder involving the upper extremities and left leg. The veteran served in Vietnam but there is no presumption of exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and granted a 40% rating for lumbosacral myositis with left radiculopathy as of July 8, 1998. The veteran's claim for a higher rating prior to that date was denied.,The veteran is entitled to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 20 percent effective from June 13, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding no competent evidence of an in-service injury and concluding that any current condition is more likely due to arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and denied an increased rating for hypertensive heart disease. The effective date of the 30 percent rating for hypertensive heart disease is January 27, 1998.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, but denied service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities as they are not proximately due to or the result of service-connected right foot disabilities.

The VA has denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the veteran's low back disability, as there is no evidence showing ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant such a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, and lumbar spine disorder. The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his scars were also addressed but not decided.

The veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection and evaluations for disabilities. The claims are dismissed as a result.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for a nonservice-connected pension due to his service not occurring during a period of war or in the Persian Gulf War, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition and is now considering whether new evidence supports this reopening.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the veteran's service and his current right eye disability. For his lumbar spine condition, the Board noted that further examination was needed as there were conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc changes of the lumbosacral spine are currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper notification and development of the claim for service connection due to new and material evidence.

The veteran seeks service connection for a back disorder. The case is remanded to determine if the pre-existing condition was aggravated by active military service and to provide an opinion on whether there is a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed back and left knee disorders are not related to service, and thus denied his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability due to head or tailbone injuries, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain, right inguinal strain, and avulsion fracture of the right index finger. The claim for secondary service connection for a right knee disability was also denied.