Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his low back disability, finding that the March 1981 denial was final and binding.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his chronic low back strain was granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective November 4, 2004.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected low back disability, manifested by complaints of pain and normal lumbar range of motion, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disorder is related to his active duty service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, including arthritis, finding no medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board granted service connection for various conditions and assigned a 10 percent rating. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and correction of VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and review of evidence, including a new VA examination to assess the veteran's bilateral foot disability and any potential relationship with his back disability. The claim for service connection for a back disability is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The veteran's service-connected conditions were evaluated, and the RO denied higher ratings for hypertension, hemorrhoids, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and asthma. The evaluations remained at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examination and development of his claims, including consideration of new evidence.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the unavailability of his service medical records and the need for further development, including obtaining additional information from him and reviewing morning reports.

The veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during his period of service and granted service connection.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence showing the veteran currently has a disability due to a right shoulder condition. The RO denied service connection for lumbar strain, prostate urethritis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae because the conditions were neither incurred in nor caused by service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The case will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain, left ankle disability, and left knee disability. The appeals were not about service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for ankylosing spondylitis of the cervical and lumbar spine, as well as degenerative joint disease with mild arthritis of the sacroiliac joint, were denied. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate.

The veteran's service-connected compression fracture of L-2 with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for asthma and service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking his current symptoms to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and ensuring all notification and development actions are fully satisfied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow pain and an increased evaluation for a lumbar spine contusion, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable probability of substantiating the claim for left elbow pain. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent since June 1994.