Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for TDIU was remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and referral for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin rash on his feet and arthritis of his cervical and lumbar spine, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome is being remanded due to the need to consider applicable rating criteria both prior to and subsequent to September 23, 2002. The case will also be reviewed after a new examination by a neurologist.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected low back disability, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran is seeking service connection for depression, a back disorder, and bilateral hip disorders as secondary to his service-connected left leg condition. The RO must arrange for the veteran to undergo VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee arthritis and low back degenerative arthritic changes, both currently rated at 10 percent.

The RO denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for low back pain and psychiatric disorder, but granted the petition to reopen a claim for bilateral leg pain. The rating for residuals of aseptic meningitis with chronic headache remains at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and low back disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, finding that his right knee condition aggravated his nonservice-connected left knee and low back conditions.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is found to have originated in service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The low back disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a fracture of the right ankle, a right wrist disability, a left wrist disability, a low back disability, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The evidence does not support these claims as there is no current diagnosis or showing of such disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow him the opportunity for a hearing before a Hearing Officer at the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, upper back, cardiovascular, and psychiatric disabilities. The decision also noted that the veteran did not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA medical records and a VA orthopedic examination. The RO will determine if any of his low back pathology (including degenerative disc disease) is service-connected or not.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability in service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current lumbosacral strain with arthritis to his military service, including a shrapnel wound in Vietnam. The claim was denied as there is insufficient medical evidence to support the connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability and GERD do not warrant a higher initial evaluation, as their manifestations have been minimal and without significant functional impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date earlier than March 7, 2002 for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, characterized by limited range of motion and daily pain with flare-ups at least three times a week, did not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current low back disability or arthritis of all joints, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and for increased evaluations for her service-connected hammertoe deformities of both feet.