Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability, secondary to his thoracic spine disability, has also been referred.

The Board found that the veteran's back disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The highest available rating under the previous and amended criteria is 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new orthopedic examination.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a current right ankle disability and denied service connection for this condition. The claims of entitlement to service connection for back and right knee disabilities are also denied.

The Board has ordered additional development of the claims due to incomplete records and need for medical examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of bilateral heel fractures and a right ankle fracture as secondary to his service-connected postoperative internal derangement of the left knee, and for low back disability on a direct basis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for paralysis of the right ulnar nerve. The veteran's arthritis was found to not meet criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedules.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of low back disorder, service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and stomach condition were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in disability rating or service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability was not caused by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition and increased ratings for lumbar strain and cervical strain, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current back disorder, including lumbar spondylosis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine if the veteran's back condition and PTSD are related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability and pes planus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for a synovial cyst of the low back is denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking her current condition to her military service. The increased rating claim for myoclonic spasm of the right foot, status post synovial cyst removal with a heel spur, remains pending.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a low back disability attributable to his period of active duty training in November 1976, and therefore service connection cannot be established.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his lumbar spondylolisthesis is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a lumbar spine injury, and skin condition of the right hand. However, the original claim for service connection remains denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The veteran's service-connected back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the claim for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and right foot disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under either the pre-amended or amended criteria.