Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly evaluate the appellant's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his psychiatric disorder. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities of the ankles, left hip, or right hip. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any currently diagnosed bilateral knee disorder, right hip disorder, and low back disorder are causally related to active service, including as secondary to the service-connected pes planus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine and chronic headaches, finding that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of his conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disorders was denied, as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of the left shoulder, right elbow, low back, or hearing loss that are related to service. Additionally, there is no evidence of pes planus in either foot meeting criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for a VA examination and proper VCAA notice.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee, left knee, right hip, and back disorders are not related to his service-connected bilateral foot disability. The claims for secondary service connection were denied.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine condition has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of aggravation during service or a link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and left hip disability, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the back condition claim and noting that there is no current left hip disability.

The Board determined that no new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for a low back disability and a right ankle disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral leg, hip, and back disorders as secondary to his service-connected flat feet condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and other issues.

The Board denied service connection for stomach, double vision of the right eye, low back pain, bilateral elbow and wrist conditions, and a right hand condition. The veteran's claims are remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed psychiatric and back disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, including a motor vehicle accident during active duty for training. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is aggravated by his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, warranting service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and residuals of a right pneumothorax. The claim for an increased disability rating for bunionectomy, left great toe, was remanded due to further development being required.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable. The lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 20% and has been increased to 40% effective June 1, 2005.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and conduct another examination to assess the veteran's current low back disability. The case will be returned for further consideration.

The veteran's right knee meniscus tear, status post arthroscopy has been rated at 10 percent since October 14, 2002. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for arthritis of the right knee.