Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar disc disease is not related to service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, right hip nerve damage, loss of use of legs, weakness of upper extremities, and low back disability. The appeals were based on exposure to Agent Orange, but no such evidence was provided.

The veteran's claim for non-service-connected pension purposes was denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability. The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to failure to appear for VA examination and to obtain additional medical records.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left knee condition and service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's residuals of a fracture to the left tibia/fibula with injury to muscle group XIII, maintaining a 30 percent disability rating. The claim for initial disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain and entitlement to TDIU was not addressed.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently manifested by moderate limitation of motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as severe lumbosacral strain or intervertebral disc syndrome has not been demonstrated.

The Board finds that the veteran's low back disorder with left sciatica is secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased initial evaluation for his lumbar muscle spasm disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for a left great toe disorder was also denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine condition and granted it, finding that the pre-existing scoliosis contributed to the current degenerative disk and joint disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial schedular evaluations for his degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hypertension and thoracic spine disability due to potential service connection issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. This includes obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, arranging for an examination to assess current symptoms and impairment, and considering the impact of any aggravating conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of the veteran's back and left leg disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, left foot, right leg, and lower back disorders due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left tibia and fibula fracture was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability has caused or increased the severity of his low back disorder, and thus grants service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with spondylolisthesis at L5-S1.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left thigh pain and dizziness due to undiagnosed illness during the Persian Gulf War are granted. The veteran is also awarded initial compensable ratings for his headaches, abdominal muscle strain, and right forearm scar.

The veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar disc disease, claimed as back injury with ruptured disc, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities were denied. The current evaluations of 20% are deemed appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to address service connection for left knee disorder and increased evaluation for lumbar spine disability.