Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for malaria and back disability. The veteran's bullet scar was not found to meet criteria for a compensable rating. Service connection for residuals of malaria and back disability were also denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for back disability, finding that new and material evidence was not received.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and right hip disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder and hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The examiner concluded that any current low back disability did not have its onset during active duty and was not related to any inservice disease or injury.

The VA determined that the veteran's low back disability, which causes pain and limitation of motion, does not warrant a higher rating than 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's herniated lumbar disk warrants a 60 percent evaluation prior to June 22, 2000.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the local VA office. The case will be returned to the Board once this is done.

The veteran's right knee condition is rated at 10 percent, and he has a separate 10 percent rating for instability. The low back disability was not incurred in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite of the left hand, back disability, and a psychiatric disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a causal link to military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic low back disorder and a left leg disorder. The medical evidence does not establish a link between any current disabilities and his active military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease with spondylosis are being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The VA determined that the veteran's low back strain with degenerative changes does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for more severe disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's bilateral ankle disorder and found that it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his military service. The claim for secondary service connection for a low back disability was denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining service medical records and contacting his National Guard units to determine the onset of his back and knee disorders.

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

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the new evidence submitted did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate this claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical and thoracic disorders, including nerve damage, are not related to service. The claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed cervical and thoracic disorders, including nerve damage.

The Board found that the veteran's back disability was not incurred in service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been present within one year of discharge. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10% for conversion reaction with anxiety symptoms is also denied.