Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic low back strain, which had its onset in service and is similar to the disability exhibited during service, warrants service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a left shoulder disability, and a back disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed lower back, upper back, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral elbow disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not show chronic disability in service or within one year of separation from service.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and knee conditions have been rated at the maximum available disability rating of 20 percent. The decision grants these ratings for all periods.

The veteran's lumbar strain with disc protrusion at L4-5 is currently rated as 20 percent disabling effective July 11, 2000. Prior to that date, he was granted a noncompensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for major depressive disorder, DJD and HNP of the lumbar spine, and DJD of the cervical spine as secondary to service-connected residuals of fracture of the base of the fifth toe, right foot metatarsal.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, characterized by disc disease, chronic lumbosacral strain, and myositis, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for treatment records and a VCAA notice update. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The VA determined that the veteran did not sustain additional disability of the back or neurological impairment of the lower extremities as a result of VA surgical treatment in June 1983 and February 1984.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, but no higher.

The Board found no objective indications of chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illness and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a musculoskeletal disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a new examination to address osteoarthritis.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (degenerative disc disease with post-traumatic low back pain syndrome and neuralgia of the right leg) do not render him unemployable, as there is no medical evidence indicating he is unable to work due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, left knee disability, and low blood count. The RO previously denied these claims in November 1997, which became final.,Regarding the right foot disorder, the evidence does not show that it was incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder secondary to his service-connected left shoulder injury. The RO also denied his increased rating claim and TDIU application.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition due to new and material evidence submitted since the February 2001 rating decision. The claim is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The veteran seeks service connection for the residuals of a back injury, including degenerative joint disease L4-S1 and degenerative disc disease T11-12. The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and will attempt to obtain additional information before deciding on the claim.