Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, sleep problems, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The appeals were based on secondary service connection to residuals of a fracture of the right ankle.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete evidence and the need for further examinations and medical opinions.

The veteran's service-connected low back strain with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not warranted given his current range of motion and symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for eye disorder, right knee disability, and low back disorder due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left ankle fracture and did not find new and material evidence to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for low back, right knee, and bilateral hip disorders secondary to a service-connected left ankle fracture.

The VA has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation higher than 40 percent for his low back strain with traumatic arthritis. The evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine or entire spine.,VA also found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of maintaining employment despite his disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic low back strain with degenerative changes at L5-S1 is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic lumbar strain has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current back disability and his service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, bilateral leg disorders, and gastroenteritis. The case is being remanded to allow consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for inflammatory polyarthritis and assigned a 10 percent disability rating for low back strain, effective from the date of discharge from active duty (June 1, 2003).

The Board has determined that chronic lumbar strain was incurred during the veteran's second period of active duty and is service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative joint disease of either knee, degenerative disc disease of the cervical or lumbar spine, or osteoporosis that began in service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip condition and a lumbar spine condition, finding that there is no current disability or evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board videoconference hearing at the RO in Nashville, TN. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, low back pain, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and coronary artery disease as secondary to PTSD.,There is no evidence linking any of these conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination. The veteran's low back disorder is being evaluated based on direct service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and arthritis. The veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder was granted service connection with an initial evaluation of 50 percent.,There is no current evidence of a low back disability, bilateral knee disability, or arthritis in the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a comprehensive medical evaluation to assess the severity of the veteran's low back disability. The claims will be readjudicated in light of all evidence added since the prior SSOC.