Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy are not service-connected. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability did not manifest during service and is unrelated to his period of active duty. The acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied as there was no evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected head injury with headaches and lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for residuals of lumbar laminectomies with a HNP and DDD was denied. The RO/AMC found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings prior to January 8, 2003, or on or after January 8, 2003.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a preexisting condition worsening during service or any in-service injury.

The Board granted increased ratings for the veteran's back disability and peroneal neuropathy of the left lower extremity, effective from November 13, 2002.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and thoracic spine injuries with degenerative disc disease, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during or proximate to active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral ankle or back disability that is related to service. The claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support ratings higher than 10% prior to August 6, 2002 and 20% from that date onwards.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on the current criteria.

The Board is reopening the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and remanding it for further development. The claim for service connection for asbestosis is also being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for postoperative residuals of recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted a 20 percent evaluation effective June 16, 2006. He previously received a non-compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a left hip disability, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a relationship to service.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and plantar fasciitis.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and urinary incontinence due to a radical prostatectomy, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board grants TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right leg pain and low back pain as secondary to his service-connected disability, finding that there is no diagnosed disorder of the right leg or back due to the surgery he had in service.

The veteran's low back disability is not service-connected, and he does not have any other service-connected disabilities to warrant TDIU.