Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for his left fifth hammer toe with tender calluses and service connection for a low back disorder, secondary to his service-connected left fifth hammer toe.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic eye conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and a chronic back injury or disease. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 60 percent for the veteran's lumbar spine disability from November 1, 2003.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disorder, diagnosed as arthritis of the thoracic spine, was incurred in service. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed low back strain and cervical disc disease are not related to his military service, including any period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). As a result, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability did not begin during service and is therefore denied service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's back disability is more likely due to post-service injuries rather than service, and denied his claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, right ankle, and left ankle disorders have been remanded due to the need for proper notification under 38 U.S.C.A. § 5103(a).

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, characterized as residuals associated with a previous lumbosacral strain and scoliosis, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to reopening a claim for service connection and TDIU. The veteran's claim will be reviewed again with consideration of new evidence.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was denied in July 1992 due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability during the one year period preceding March 22, 2003. The RO found that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for the claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, bronchial asthma, degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees, headaches, and a low back disorder.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination to determine the cause of his low back and left leg symptoms, whether they are related to his service-connected scar or other conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and assigned a separate rating for the thoracic spine disability. The veteran's GERD is rated as noncompensable.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation until December 13, 2000. Therefore, an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee disorder, low back disorder, joint disorder of the arms and legs, chronic throat disorder, and chronic ear infections. The evidence did not support a current disability in any of these areas.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for residuals of the removal of lumbosacral discs, L4, L5, and S1. The erectile dysfunction claim was remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to diabetes mellitus.