Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's service-connected low back disability rating from 40 to 20 percent, effective August 1, 2004, was proper based on material improvement in his condition under ordinary conditions.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for low back strain and dermatitis is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and photographs, as well as a readjudication based on the revised rating criteria.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on his current symptoms.

The Board found that the veteran's current cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and vasospasms of the hands and feet, but denied service connection for low back disability. The veteran's current low back condition is not related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his low back and left knee disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's service dates and obtain all relevant medical records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The veteran's cervical and lumbar spine conditions were not incurred in service, nor are they related to any service-connected disabilities.,VA has determined that the veteran is not disabled to a degree that would qualify him for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a low back disability, finding no evidence of current diagnoses or causation. The rating for residuals of a gunshot wound with neuropathy of left radial and medial nerves was protected by regulation due to its long duration. The veteran's upper and chest arm scars were not found to meet the criteria for compensable evaluations.

The veteran's low back disability, characterized by pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome with persistent symptoms compatible with sciatic neuropathy and demonstrable muscle spasm, is rated at 60 percent effective September 20, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and review of new evidence, including SSA records. The veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, back disorder, and cervical disc disease are also being reviewed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for extension of temporary total disability compensation, service connection for residuals of vasectomy, and a higher rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The claim for service connection for stomach condition secondary to medications taken for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disk disease is pending.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability was rated as noncompensable prior to September 26, 2003 and rated as 10 percent disabling since then. The RO denied the claims for higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and denied his increased evaluation claims for bilateral pes planus. The evidence did not establish a nexus between the veteran's current low back disorder and his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability was rated at 40 percent effective May 1, 2005. The RO denied an increased rating for the veteran's GERD with a history of esophageal ulcer and IBS as not related to his active duty service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the destruction of his service medical records and a need for further examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including medical records and VA examinations.

The veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including a low back disorder, asthma, cervical spine disability, and PTSD. The claims are being remanded to allow for further evaluation of the evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain warrants a rating of 40 percent, effective from March 6, 2003.