Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The veteran's lumbosacral strain and bilateral hearing loss disabilities were not rated higher than the current noncompensable evaluations.,Service connection for blurred vision was denied, as it is unrelated to service-connected disease or injury. Service connection for heart disease was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to August 2, 1993, for the grant of a 40 percent rating for his lumbosacral spine disability. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for the lumbosacral spine disability and TDIU is remanded.

The Board finds that the veteran's arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine was incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a left knee disorder. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and low back disability.

The veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects moderate limitation of motion. The RO found that the current rating adequately compensates for his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has denied the appellant's application to reopen her claim for service connection of a low back disorder and her request for an increased rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee. The case is being remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, migraine headaches, tinnitus, and a disability manifested by vertigo, were not incurred or aggravated during his period of active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbar strain and service connection for arthritis of the right hip and left hand, finding no evidence to support these claims based on the current medical records.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder and has determined that new evidence supports this claim, finding it related to an in-service motorcycle accident. The Board granted service connection based on direct service connection.

The veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for various service-connected conditions and increased ratings.,The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his service connection for postoperative residuals of left knee surgery, with arthritis of the left knee.,The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his service connection for right knee arthritis with chronic right knee pain.,The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his service connection for disc herniation at L3-4.,The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his service connection for post-traumatic headaches.,The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his service connection for tinnitus.,The veteran seeks a higher rating for PTSD, specifically seeking an earlier effective date for the 100 percent evaluation.,The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on housebound status.,The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for Dependents' Assistance Allowance under 38 U.S.C.A. Chapter 35.,The veteran seeks increased ratings for his service-connected conditions, including disc herniation at L3-4 and post-traumatic headaches.,The veteran seeks a higher rating for right knee arthritis with chronic right knee pain.,The veteran seeks an increased (compensable) rating for the scar near the right eyebrow.,The veteran seeks an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, lumbosacral strain, cellulitis of the legs, and generalized anxiety disorder.,There is no competent medical evidence linking any of these conditions to service.

The Board denied all service connection claims, finding that the veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability is not related to VA medical treatment in September 1990, and therefore denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's low back disorder was not rated higher than 20 percent throughout the appeal period, and his pseudofolliculitis barbae did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent. The Board found no evidence to support service connection for a left knee disorder.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain was denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The conditions at issue include pseudofolliculitis barbae, onychomycosis, multiple joint arthralgias, left knee disorder, right knee disability, and low back degenerative joint disease.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder on both primary and secondary bases. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence of current disabilities or that any present conditions are related to service.

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