Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disability, and kidney disorder (manifested by renal failure) as these conditions are not shown to be related to service. Service connection is granted for a low back disability.

The VA determined that the veteran's low back disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as it did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on severe loss of range of motion or other disabling conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA medical records and a need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and medical records review.

The Board found no evidence of an upper back disability in service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his mechanical low back disability with degenerative changes and lumbar radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the old or new criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for her left knee, low back, bilateral feet, and respiratory disabilities. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by her active service.

The veteran's service-connected low back and right knee disabilities have been rated at the maximum available benefit. The Board finds that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on their current severity.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and finds that new evidence supports a finding of service connection. The current back disability is believed to be related to an injury in 1970, not during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities were not caused by his active military service. The evidence does not demonstrate a link between these conditions and his period of service.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and eye refractive errors. The issues of TMJ, anemia, and asthma are also denied.,There is no evidence to support the veteran's claims for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc and joint disease of the cervical spine with left upper extremity radiculopathy, degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with left lower extremity radiculopathy, and migraine headaches, have resulted in a combined schedular rating of 90 percent. The veteran is unable to walk or use stairs due to his service-connected disabilities, meeting the criteria for specially adapted housing.

The veteran's service connected pes cavus is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied increased ratings for the bilateral ankle, knee, hip, back, and neck conditions due to lack of evidence supporting a relationship with active service.

The Board denied service connection for Lyme disease, joint pains of the hands, wrists, elbows, right shoulder, and weakness of the legs. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence showing a current disability or a link to service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his traumatic first degree spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine was denied. The RO found that the disability did not warrant a higher than 60 percent evaluation based on the criteria in effect prior to September 23, 2002. For the period after September 23, 2002, the veteran's claim for an increased rating was also denied as his intervertebral disc syndrome did not meet the criteria for a higher than 60 percent evaluation based on incapacitating episodes or combined evaluations of orthopedic and neurologic manifestations.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain with bulging discs warrants a 10 percent rating, effective from September 26, 2003.

The VA denied a higher disability rating for the veteran's lumbosacral fibromyositis, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, an initial rating for a left ankle disability, and initial compensable ratings for a scar on his left nostril and hemorrhoids due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spinal stenosis is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.