Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability does not warrant a higher initial rating than 20 percent.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including special monthly compensation, increased ratings for various conditions, service connection claims, and reopening of a claim. The case is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The RO reduced the veteran's rating for his low back injury from 40% to 20%, effective April 1, 2003. The reduction was proper as there has been improvement in the veteran's condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and VA treatment records. The veteran's current low back disorder, numbness of the legs, and migraine headaches are being evaluated to determine if they originated in service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis involving the sacroiliac joint and lumbar spine, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his low back pain with limitation of motion is being remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination and proper notice.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including hypertension, upper back disorder, osteoarthritis of the joints, skin disorder (presumptive due to herbicide exposure), and peripheral neuropathy (presumptive due to herbicide exposure). The pulmonary disorder was not shown in service or for many years thereafter.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature of the veteran's low back condition.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected back disability, as the evidence did not show that it warranted a higher rating.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the appellant's spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine to his service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD or a back disability related to his military service and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's current low back condition is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and notification about ongoing private chiropractic care.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the left ankle disability. The veteran's claim for service connection for HNP of the lumbar spine as secondary to the service-connected residuals of a left ankle fracture disability will also be reconsidered.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The issues of service connection and increased rating are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his numbness of the right arm claim. The low back disability was rated at 40 percent, with no higher rating possible under current criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lower back disability is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The issues regarding a bilateral leg condition and sexual dysfunction are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.