Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disorder does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as it did not meet the criteria for ankylosis at an unfavorable angle, vertebral fracture or residuals thereof, or discogenic radiculopathy.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for low back strain and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The initial rating of 40 percent for the low back condition is maintained.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, and there is no service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD or a back disability. The claims are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's left foot and lumbar spine disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues include seeking increased ratings for shin splints and service connection for a back disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verification of service dates and obtaining medical records. The RO will also provide proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the issues of increased rating for bilateral flat feet, service connection for a hip condition secondary to flat feet, service connection for a back condition secondary to flat feet, and service connection for a leg condition secondary to flat feet.

The veteran's low back disability, rated at 40 percent disabling, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of her service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease and right ankle strain.

The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of fibromyalgia and service connection for cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and updated medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for new and material evidence in reopening a claim for service connection for a back condition, and issues related to a left hip condition secondary to the back condition. The veteran's claims are not yet ready for final decision.

The veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is found to be aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran seeks service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The RO denied this claim, and the Board has ordered remand due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his current low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of treatment records from the East Orange VA Medical Center for the veteran's low back disability. The claim will be re-adjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic dizziness, blurred vision, low back disability, depression, polydrug dependence, and neuroma. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral disc herniation at L5-S1 was denied, as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher evaluation. The claim for TDIU was also denied due to the presence of other service-connected disabilities and the veteran's occupational experience.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic low back disability and status post partial colonic resection for volvulus. The veteran's current symptoms are attributed to irritable bowel syndrome, which is already service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for hemorrhoids, service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and service connection for tinea cruris, tinea pedis, and tinea versicolor.