Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and an updated statement of reasons and bases. The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is pending.

The veteran does not have a current disability of sinusitis, earaches, or low back disorder that can be linked to his military service.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right shoulder, upper back, or low back disability related to active duty service. The claims for sinusitis and right groin disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of current conditions. The claim for bilateral foot disability is denied due to lack of proof of present disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain was granted, with a rating of 40 percent effective July 26, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current diagnoses with respect to degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and denied entitlement to a compensable rating for his residuals of removal of a right breast tumor.

The VA determined that the veteran's low back disability, which was initially granted in May 2003 with a 20% rating, does not warrant an increase to higher ratings based on current evidence.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for pseudo-gout arthritis of both shoulders or chronic low back disability to include as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability. The veteran's right ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion were limited, but did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for a back condition. The veteran seeks service connection based on in-service lifting incidents, but there is no medical record linking his current disability to service.

The Board has remanded the case for a travel board hearing at the RO in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and low back disabilities, as well as service connection for bilateral hip and right ankle disabilities. The decisions were based on the lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability. The Board also found that the veteran's current low back disability is etiologically related to his active duty.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed back, bilateral ankle, bilateral knee, and left hip disorders.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between any current disabilities and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and bronchiectasis, finding no evidence to support higher evaluations based on the schedular criteria as in effect from September 26, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development of the record, including providing VCAA notice and scheduling VA examinations. The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an additional VA examination to determine if the veteran's current low back disorder is related to his service.

The Board found that the veteran's current lumbosacral spine condition is not related to his active duty service, including a 1974 automobile accident. The evidence did not support a finding of an etiological link between the veteran's in-service injury and his present disability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated based on their current severity. The effective date for the increased ratings and service connection has been determined.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluations, and effective dates related to his disabilities. The appeals were not granted.