Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for lumbosacral strain, service connection for PTSD, and service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also noted that VA treatment records from September 2006 relating to surgery on his cervical spine are not relevant to his current claim for an increased rating for his service-connected disability of lumbosacral strain.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and L5-S1, finding that further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is likely etiologically related to an injury during military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim can be adjudicated, including obtaining service medical records and Social Security Administration records. The veteran will also need to undergo a VA examination to determine his current back condition and scar.

The VA has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the veteran's current low back disorder is related to his service. The veteran will need a VA compensation examination to determine if there is any link between his in-service condition and his current disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied, and his attempt to reopen a previously denied service connection claim for nasal fracture was also denied. The RO found that new evidence did not relate to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate either claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbar disc disease and service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability are not related to his military service. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability and dermatitis were not incurred or aggravated in service, and no nexus between these conditions and his military service was established. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative changes was rated at 20 percent prior to April 12, 2006 and remains at that level from April 12, 2006.

The veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, but evaluations in excess of the currently assigned ratings are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. Service connection was not granted for cervical spine or lumbar spine arthritis, and the compensable evaluation for inguinal hernia residuals and PTSD initial evaluation were also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral spine disability due to a lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary for the veteran's left knee and low back conditions, as well as to determine if service connection can be granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for these conditions are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, left hip, lower back, and neck disabilities as they are not shown to be related to active duty.

The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD from November 8, 2004, and denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine do not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent prior to December 21, 2005. From December 21, 2005 forward, his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent for the cervical spine and 20 percent for the thoracolumbar spine.