Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The VA determined that the veteran's chronic lumbar syndrome with spondylolysis does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 20 percent disability.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for a medical opinion regarding service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The petition to reopen her claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis is considered, but no decision was made as it is not clear what basis for reopening was used.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and PTSD (claimed as depression/anxiety) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for a rescheduled hearing and transfer of jurisdiction.

The Board has remanded the case to the AMC for compliance with VCAA requirements, and will be reviewed again after additional development.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disabilities are not attributable to service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has determined that a remand is required for the veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and increased ratings for his knee disabilities. The VA will attempt to obtain a letter from Dr. C. regarding the relationship between the veteran's service-connected knee condition and his current back disability.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's lumbar spondylosis, effective September 26, 2003. The veteran is also entitled to a separate 10 percent disability rating for intervertebral disk syndrome.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for bilateral tinnitus, effective June 10, 2006. The claim for service connection of the low back disability is pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as lumbosacral strain, were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to need for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims, including compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current back disorder to his time in service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that it did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.

The veteran's right ankle sprain and low back strain are service-connected, but the VA has determined that a compensable evaluation is not warranted for either condition. The VA has granted a 20% disability rating for the veteran's low back strain.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the merits of the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, including as secondary to his service-connected left knee injury. The case is being remanded for a VA examination and opinion from an orthopedic physician.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability (lumbar spondylosis) and bilateral arm disability (bilateral rotator cuff tendonitis with forearm pain).,Service connection is denied for leg disability.

The Board has determined that there is no causal link between the veteran's current tinnitus and any incident of service, including acoustic trauma. The claim for reopening his lower back disorder was granted but denied on the merits due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition in service.