Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, currently rated at 10 percent. The RO found that the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on its current manifestations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, low back disability, prostate disability, residuals of burn scars on the back and left arm, status post fracture of distal phalanx of the left great toe, and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and tinea pedis. The issues of increased ratings for hypertension and service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury are remanded.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine warranted a 10 percent evaluation, but not higher. The thoracic and lumbar spine disability claim is pending due to new evidence received.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,Service-connected conditions include lumbosacral strain, chondromalacia of the right and left knees, headaches, hypertension, conjunctivitis, COPD, perirectal abscess, right foot calluses, rhinitis/sinusitis, bilateral flat feet, sleep disorder, hearing loss, ankle condition, wrist condition, shin splints, positive TB test, hyperlipidemia, and left foot tendonitis.

The veteran's claims for service connection and higher initial evaluations were denied. The veteran was granted a compensable evaluation for amputation of the distal phalanx of the left middle finger.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims for service connection for a back condition and hearing loss, thus denying the reopening of these claims.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the veteran's current condition is not related to his active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and granted noncompensable service connection for a low back disability effective March 1, 2001. The veteran was awarded a 10 percent rating for bronchial asthma effective March 1, 2001. For allergic rhinitis, the Board denied claims for higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine and recurrent hernia. Service connection was also denied for diabetes mellitus including complications of diabetes mellitus and an eye disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as failure to establish a current disability or link between service and any claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, had onset in service and continued symptomatology since separation to today. The appeal is granted.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his chronic low back strain and a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for these ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including headaches, bilateral knee disability, low back disability, and hernia, did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and service. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for the veteran's claimed back disorder, right eye disorder, and right and left knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of various joints and a compensable evaluation for rheumatic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain warrants a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of claim. The non-specific urethritis is not rated as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board is remanding the case to provide proper notice and allow for submission of new evidence, as the claim has been reopened but the sufficiency of the newly submitted evidence has not been determined.