Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The veteran is seeking service connection for a lower back disability, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected left leg disabilities. The Board has determined that additional medical examination and opinion are needed before the claim can be decided.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, but denied service connection for right knee and hemorrhoids disorders.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his lumbosacral spine disability and for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is related to his active service.,There is no evidence of a skin or hiatal hernia during service, and the current conditions are not presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for GERD, hiatal hernia, gastritis, hypertension, and a right perforated eardrum. The appellant's active duty was from January 1968 to March 1970.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and a low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and residuals of a head injury due to insufficient evidence in the May 2003 VA medical opinion. The case is now being reviewed by the RO with additional development.

The Board found that the appellant's current low back disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied a higher rating for the veteran's low back disability, finding that he was already receiving the highest possible initial rating of 20 percent prior to October 18, 2002. After this date, his condition did not warrant an increase in rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The highest rating the evidence supports is a 20 percent disability rating for partial rupture of muscle group XII (right anterior tibialis) and degenerative joint disease of the right knee, with no higher initial rating allowed due to the amputation rule.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left eye injury and head injuries have been reopened, but the claim for low back disorder remains denied as there is no competent evidence linking it to his active duty service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder, but further development is needed before deciding whether service connection should be granted.,Regarding peripheral neuropathy, there is no competent medical evidence of current diagnosis or etiology. The veteran's diabetes mellitus may not have caused his peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disorder, herniated nucleus pulposus and degenerative disc disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied service connection for right foot hallux valgus and low back disability. The veteran's right foot hallux valgus was not shown during service or within one year of discharge, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it is related to his service-connected disabilities. For the low back disability, the Board found no medical opinion linking it to the veteran's service-connected injuries.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back injury, arthritis of the knees, and residuals of a right orchiectomy are not service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed left knee, shoulder, wrist, and low back disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The diagnoses are considered to be related to post-service activities.

The veteran's degenerative disc disease with posterior disc extrusions centrally, compression thecal sac and right S1 transecting nerve root at L5/S1 is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling. The RO found that this condition warrants a 20 percent rating based on its chronic orthopedic manifestations.

The Board has granted service connection for diplopia and increased ratings for the cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities. The appellant's other claims were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability is not related to his active duty service and denied both claims for service connection.