Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back strain and an initial increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with spondylolysis defect L/5 and spina bifida occulta defect S/1 is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, as well as denied service connection for a heart murmur.,There is no evidence of record that supports granting any of these claims.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbosacral spine disability, concluding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA spine examination to determine if the veteran's low back disorder clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not aggravated therein.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a left shoulder disorder, including recurrent subluxation. The decision found that any pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, lumbosacral spine, and cervical spine disorders. The claim for right knee disorder is pending as it may be related to a pre-existing condition.

The veteran's low back strain was granted a 20% evaluation from August 30, 2000 to November 1, 2005 and a 40% evaluation beginning on November 2, 2005.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal due to his failure to respond to requests for information essential for the proper adjudication of his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes related to hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, or respiratory disorder. As such, service connection is denied.,There is no evidence linking any of these conditions to service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability, which is currently rated at 40 percent under Diagnostic Code 5295-5292 for lumbosacral strain and limitation of motion, does not warrant a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there is no medical evidence of a nexus between his in-service fall and his current back pain.

The Board has determined that the veteran was not entitled to a total disability rating for 10 years prior to his death, and therefore does not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and low back disability. The Board found that recurrent folliculitis is related to service, but did not find any evidence of a chronic back disability in service or otherwise related to service.

The veteran's appeal is about his ability to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, specifically low back problems. The case has been remanded for further development including an examination by a VA orthopedic specialist.

The Board found that there was no evidence of a back injury in service, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain and denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD. The appellant's PTSD is primarily manifested by intrusive memories, social withdrawal, and irritability without significant workplace impairment.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied. The VA examinations will be scheduled to address his hypertension, right knee disability, and bilateral foot disorder.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for her thoracolumbar strain with disc bulge at T-5, T-6 is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected stress fracture of the left foot and intermittent paresthesia of the mandible, secondary to nerve compression syndrome. The issues regarding bilateral pes planus have been withdrawn.