Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected herniated disc at L5-S1 with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board denied an increased evaluation, finding that his disability does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent based on current symptomatology. Service connection for a left leg injury was also denied.

The veteran's low back disability is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling due to moderate limitation of motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable rating code.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, bilateral shoulder tendonitis and strain, left shoulder bursitis, and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The claims for hand disability and joint pain were not addressed as they are separate issues.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder. The veteran's current back problems are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of low back and right knee injuries during service, and denied both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO due to an inaudible portion of the June 2005 hearing. The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury is now pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right hip disorder or left hip disorder related to her active service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination with an orthopedist to determine the nature and likely etiology of the veteran's cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine conditions.

The veteran's PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and post-operative total right hip replacement are all rated as they currently stand. The appeals for increased ratings have been denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee, left foot, neck, and low back disorders are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need for a new VA examination and VCAA notice.

The veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the claim of service connection for a back disorder.

The veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues related to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an ulcer condition and entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for gall stones prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The timeliness of the appeal regarding a denial in October 2001 has also been withdrawn.

The Board found no competent medical evidence establishing a link between the veteran's neck and back disability and his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's left knee disability is not shown to be related to his service or service-connected sarcoidosis.,Service connection for sarcoidosis has been granted and the current disability picture more nearly approximates that of pulmonary involvement requiring systemic high dose (therapeutic) corticosteroids for control, warranting a 60 percent evaluation.,The veteran's right index finger deformity is shown to be productive of functional loss that more nearly approximates that of a gap of one inch between the tip of the digit and the palm, warranting a 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his low back disability was denied, and the effective date for service connection of his low back disability was not granted.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder including right leg pain and numbness, concluding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his time in service.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection. The initial higher rating claim for residuals of a fracture of the right thumb was also denied.