Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a kidney condition, high blood pressure, migraine headaches, gout, and a back condition. The veteran did not meet the basic eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to his short period of active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of psychiatric disorder, right ankle disorder, right knee disorder, and low back disorder, all claimed as secondary to service-connected left ankle Achilles tendonitis.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to determine the specific disabilities and their severance pay contributions, as well as to provide proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's production costs for $4,200 in supplements were not considered necessary to begin operations as a self-employed herbal retailer.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's right knee condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a back condition, claimed as secondary to his right knee condition, is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings and service connection for left knee, right knee, and upper back disabilities. The lumbar stenosis with low back pain claim was granted but at a lower rating.

The veteran's appeals for increased rating and total disability rating based on individual unemployability have been dismissed as her claims were satisfied by the RO's decisions.

The veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to multiple nonservice-connected disabilities, including depression, peptic ulcer disease with gastritis, Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the knees, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, a low back disorder, dermatitis, seizure disorder, and hypertension. The veteran is entitled to special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or any inservice injury.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding records and notification issues.

The veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected left knee instability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied a rating higher than 20 percent for the veteran's lumbar spine disorder, finding that it did not meet the criteria for such an increase.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a disability manifested by high cholesterol or a low back disorder due to service. The preponderance of evidence is against both claims.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back conditions are not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for her cervical/trapezius strain, thoracic strain, and lumbosacral strain with disc disease are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current back disability to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and low back disability, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the latter claim.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including recurrent major depression, and for degenerative disc and/or joint disease of the lumbosacral spine. The veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to her military service or a service-connected disability.,An increased evaluation for tendinitis of the right ankle was also denied.

The veteran's chronic lumbar strain is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted under either the old or new criteria.