Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and hemorrhoids, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher disability ratings based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a right shoulder disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for degenerative disc and joint disease at L4-5 was granted with an initial rating of 40 percent but not more due to lack of evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and degenerative joint disease of the left knee, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back condition, right knee status post medial meniscectomy, ligament laxity, and limitation of motion of the right knee are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability is related to service and granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left ankle disability, and left knee disability. The veteran was not granted any additional ratings.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and thoracic spine is remanded due to need for proper VCAA notice, additional medical records, and a VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins, a back disorder, and a tooth condition due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, chronic bronchitis, and residuals of mononucleosis were not established. The veteran was granted service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease and left knee trauma with instability, both rated at 20%. He was also granted a compensable rating for eczema from August 30, 2002, and an increased rating to 30% effective July 20, 2006.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, heart disease and hypertension, and multiple joint disabilities including a bilateral knee disability, rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, and a right ankle disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board is remanding the case to address whether a low back disability, diagnosed as L5 spondylolysis, is related to service or secondary to Reiter's syndrome. The examiner will need to provide an opinion on whether the veteran's current low back disability was caused by or aggravated by his military service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability, resulting in its denial.

The veteran's lower dorsal spondylosis with lumbar arthritis resulted in a finding of no more than normal range of motion, without significant pain on movement. Therefore, the initial evaluation for this disability remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's low back strain prior to January 25, 2005.,The Board also denied a higher rating for his condition beginning November 1, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for TDIU for the period from December 1, 1990 through April 7, 2000, finding that his employment as a National Service Officer did not constitute unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected Gulf War undiagnosed illness, finding that while he had symptoms of multiple conditions, they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine and degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, which represent complete grants of the benefits sought on appeal.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for low back degenerative disc disease and service connection for a left leg disorder due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as insufficient evidence linking the current conditions to military service.