Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, skin condition (including as due to Agent Orange exposure), and hypothyroidism (including as due to Agent Orange exposure) are denied. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or association with these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of otitis media, service connection for right leg disorder, left leg disorder, back disorder, neck disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or a nexus to service.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease, status post lumbosacral fusion, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and left nephrolithiasis, as well as his attempt to reopen a claim for service connection of his left hip disability. The RO found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as information from the Social Security Administration.

The veteran's claims are being remanded for a comprehensive VA medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of his low back disability and numbness of lower extremities, as well as whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a workshop, equipment and supplies to continue his matting and framing pursuits under Chapter 31, Individual Independent Living Program due to the lack of necessity in improving his independence in daily living.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected right knee disability has aggravated his low back disability, warranting VA compensation for this degree of aggravation.,A chronic bilateral hip condition was not present during active duty or for many years thereafter and is not related to such service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of SSA medical records related to the veteran's back problems. The veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability will be reconsidered after obtaining these records.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that it had its onset during service and is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disorder was not incurred or aggravated during his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome as it is not a compensable disability. The claim for an increased evaluation of her degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted, with a 60% evaluation effective October 2002.

The Board denied an effective date earlier than September 3, 1992, for a 100 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected somatoform pain disorder with residuals of low back pain.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation at any point.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a personal hearing with a visiting Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is not attributable to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional notification and development, including adjudication of his increased rating claim for right elbow disability and service connection claim for back disability. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered in light of all relevant evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disability, CTS, arthritis of the hands, and low back disability are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected bilateral lower leg disability. The case is being remanded for further examination.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence showing the veteran's current right leg fracture, scar from a hernia operation, or back disorder are related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's right thumb/hand disability was not shown in service records, and there is no medical evidence showing treatment for a right thumb/hand condition. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a right thumb/hand disability is denied.