Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD, and his chronic back disability was not incurred or aggravated during service. Hypertension is also not presumed to be related to service. The veteran's arthritis claim cannot be granted as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his left knee instability and degenerative joint disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's back, neck and shoulder disabilities are secondary to his service-connected Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and PTSD were denied, while the claim for TDIU was remanded. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent for the low back disability or 70 percent for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a history of chronic prostatitis, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examination records and ensuring compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for hearing loss and tinnitus were withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The appeal for an increased evaluation of lumbosacral strain was remanded due to inadequate examination.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine.

The Board has granted service connection for a non-displaced fracture of the left body of the mandible and malocclusion of the teeth (jaw disability) but denied service connection for an upper lip scar and low back disability.

The veteran's application for specially adapted housing or a certificate of eligibility for a special home adaptation grant due to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities is being remanded for further development and evaluation.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant's representative requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The veteran's low back disability was evaluated at a 10 percent rating prior to April 14, 2006 and remains at that level since then. The Board found no evidence of incapacitating episodes or additional orthopedic/neurologic manifestations warranting higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lower back disability is related to a motor vehicle accident during his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran seeks pension benefits and also wants to reopen his claim for a lower back disorder. The case is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The veteran's appeal of service connection for a low back disability has been withdrawn. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the VA's duties to notify and assist have not been fulfilled for this issue, and thus the case is being returned to the RO/AMC for further development.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and examinations to address the veteran's PTSD, left foot injury, and low back disability.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for further development and re-adjudication due to new evidence submitted by the veteran. The veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability, which he claims is related to an inservice injury or event that resulted in his current condition.

The Board denied a rating higher than 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease, finding that his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for the appellant's low back disorder, and thus denied his claim.