Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for increased evaluations due to concerns about the current severity of his service-connected dysthymic disorder and musculoligamentous strain of the dorsolumbar spine, including potential overlap with other diagnosed conditions. Further development is needed through additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination. The veteran's lumbar spine condition, including right leg and foot radiculopathy, is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for the veteran's lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and VCAA compliance.

The veteran's right knee injury residuals are currently evaluated at 10 percent and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and increased the disability rating for HNP of the thoracolumbar spine to 20 percent. The claimant's left lower extremity numbness is rated at 10 percent.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his respiratory disorder. The issues of an initial compensable rating for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease and an effective date earlier than April 30, 2003 for service connection for chronic low back pain are also being remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, while the claim for increased rating for bilateral pes cavus was granted with a 30% rating. The remaining issues related to multiple joint pains due to an undiagnosed illness and lower back condition were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings regarding whether the appellant's service-connected left knee disability caused or aggravated his low back disability. The RO is instructed to obtain a comprehensive VA orthopedic examination and provide an opinion on this issue.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice regarding effective dates and potential need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and failure to comply with previous remands. The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a motor vehicle accident, claimed as neck and back injuries and lumbar spinal arthritis with numbness of the lower extremities, is now pending again.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain medical records from Dr. German and LL. Wilkes, M.D., and request additional evidence for a spine examination. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disability is not related to an incident in service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claims for DJD of the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spines as there is no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities require frequent hospitalization, are unusual, or cause marked interference with employment.

The Board finds that the veteran's pre-existing undescended right testicle was aggravated during military service, necessitating the orchiectomy. The low back disorder is not shown to be related to service, and there are no residuals of a left buttock laceration.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected residuals of degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine at L4-L5, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no legal basis for assigning a schedular evaluation in excess of the maximum rating authorized for tinnitus, and denied service connection for neck and low back disorders.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's low back and right ankle disorders to his service-connected right knee disorder, thus denying both claims.