Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a left ankle disability or neurological impairment of the lumbosacral spine to include sciatica that is caused by his service-connected right ankle disability.,There is no evidence showing that the veteran's psychiatric disorder was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board found no basis to award a higher rating than 20 percent for the veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome between April 23, 1999 and November 30, 2002 under either the old or new criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and new private medical reports.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disorder was granted, with a 40 percent evaluation effective March 5, 2004.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle disability. However, it was denied as there is no current diagnosed right ankle disability and the injury occurred outside of active duty. The low back disability was also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar paravertebral myositis and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support evaluations in excess of 40 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorders and psychiatric disorders were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran's cervical spine disability was previously rated at 40 percent, and the Board has now granted a higher rating of 60 percent effective from November 20, 2003.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his low back disability and atrophy of the buttocks and left thigh, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The RO is instructed to arrange for the veteran to undergo VA examinations to evaluate his disabilities under current rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The veteran's service-connected right middle finger disability is not shown to be associated with ankylosis or limitation of motion, and thus does not warrant a compensable evaluation.,Service connection for migraine headaches was denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition was incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to incomplete records and the need for an examination to determine if the veteran's current back disability existed prior to service or is otherwise related to service.

The appellant is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for chronic low back pain secondary to a myelogram performed in June 1978 at the VA Hospital in Houston, Texas. The case has been remanded due to incomplete records and the need for an examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back condition was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his service and granted service connection. The back disability was not found to be directly related to service, but a current diagnosis of L4-5 degenerative disc disease was established.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a respiratory disorder, including as a result of influenza and asbestos. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine due to a lack of recent VA examination and incomplete medical records.

The VA denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a lower back disability, finding no evidence to support a link between his current condition and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar stenosis, finding that it was not incurred during active military service or due to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred or aggravated by his military service.