Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for lumbar spondylosis and spinal stenosis with chronic back pain. The Board also finds that these conditions are related to active service, thus granting the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The right knee conditions are rated appropriately, but a temporary convalescent rating for the right knee beyond August 31, 2002 is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for prostate disorder and back disorder. Service connection is granted for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's spinal fusion of the lumbar spine is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for limitation of motion. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lumbar spine disorder was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted, with a current evaluation of 20 percent. His claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was also granted.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability in January 1981, finding no evidence of a back disability in service or within one year following separation. The moving party's motion for revision due to CUE was denied as there is no clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is denied as there is no competent evidence linking his current condition to events in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a right knee injury, and gynecological disorder including irregular menstrual periods.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine, bilateral knee, and right thumb disabilities. The case is being remanded to issue a Statement of the Case regarding the right thumb disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss did not warrant a compensable evaluation, and denied service connection for his low back disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The case will be returned to the Board after this is completed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current disabilities are related to service.

The veteran's appeal involves two issues: an initial evaluation for patellar tendonitis of the left knee and a claim for increased disability ratings for cervicodorsolumbosacral strain. The Board has determined that there is mixed disposition, with some issues granted and others not.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that he did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to June 23, 2005 and did not meet the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation from that date forward.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disorders, but granted secondary service connection for a left great toe disorder. The effective date remains July 31, 2000.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating criteria.