Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lower back disability due to new and material evidence submitted by the veteran. However, the Board found that there is not enough evidence to establish a link between the veteran's current back condition and his military service.

The veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of his claims.

The Board denied the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability, including a herniated disc condition, as no new and material evidence was received.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disorders to his active service, resulting in a denial of both claims.

The veteran seeks service connection for low back disability, including compression defect L1, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and scoliosis of the lumbar spine. The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to adjudicate his claim due to the need for medical evidence regarding the etiology of his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine if the veteran's back disorder is aggravated by his service-connected right leg disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain, superimposed on spondylolisthesis, is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for T-12 compression fracture, degenerative changes C5-6 and C6-7, and left knee disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left knee chondromalacia with arthritis and meniscal tear. The claim for service connection for left ankle disability is not established.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a low back, leg, or abscessed tooth disability due to disease or injury incurred in service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of the residuals of gunshot and shell fragment wounds, including any underlying muscle injuries. The case will be re-adjudicated with consideration given to whether separate ratings should be assigned for the back pain and right lower extremity pain.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for lumbar disc disease, status post fusion with hardware failure due to complications of back surgery performed in January 2002.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a total disability rating. The case is being remanded to obtain a more current and thorough examination of the appellant's ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence relating the veteran's currently diagnosed back condition to active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a back condition is denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused the loss of use of his legs and feet, necessitating aid and attendance by another person. The veteran also requires financial assistance for adaptive equipment due to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 and L5-S1 is currently rated as 60 percent disabling. A separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity sciatica has been granted effective September 23, 2002. The Board denied the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine disability and migraine headaches, service connection for hemorrhoids and eye disability, and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

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

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding the veteran's low back disorder and chronic joint pain of the hips, knees, and elbows as due to an undiagnosed illness related to service in the Persian Gulf War.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of her lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for new evidence and examination.