Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle and low back disabilities are not related to his service-connected right ankle disability.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current left ankle and low back disabilities and his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease does not more nearly approximate a higher rating than the current 40 percent assigned.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and TDIU are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of his service-connected disabilities and the impact on employment.

The veteran's claimed conditions are not shown to be related to his military service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and left lower extremity disabilities. The VA examinations showed limited motion in both the cervical and lumbar spines, but no evidence of muscle spasms or abnormal spinal contours resulting in an abnormal gait.

The veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar spine disability, an ankle disability, a knee disability, residuals of Douft node removal, and a latex allergy have all been denied. The examiner found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and residuals of subarachnoid hemorrhage. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before a decision could be made.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and a temporary total rating based on convalescence were denied. The Board found that the right herniorrhaphy was healed as of November 1, 2004, and no further convalescence was warranted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the veteran with a new examination to assess his low back disorder. The claims for increased rating and service connection are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and for further examination of the veteran's lumbar spine disability. The claim will be adjudicated again after all requested actions have been completed.

The veteran's claims for service connection and higher initial ratings were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for right ear hearing loss or right leg varicose veins.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine strain with lumbar spondylosis does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent during the appellate period.

The veteran's case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to clarify the etiology of his service-connected disabilities and determine if he is unemployable due to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of VA medical reports prior to September 23, 2002 and a VA orthopedic examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient response from the VA examiner's report and need for further medical opinions.

The veteran's low back disability has been granted a 40 percent rating, effective March 16, 2003. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The veteran's low back strain with DDD and arthritic changes is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating under the applicable criteria. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hearing loss. The low back disability is currently rated at 20% and includes peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities.