Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar strain and left wrist fracture existed prior to service and did not worsen during service, thus denying claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's low back disability is related to service, including his pre-service injury. The AMC must also obtain SSA records and adjudicate the claim.

The Board awarded a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's low back disability effective September 23, 2002. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating prior to that date was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no current evidence of such disability and that any pre-existing condition did not become aggravated by service. The most persuasive medical opinion evidence supported this conclusion.

The veteran's thoracolumbar strain and tendonitis of the right knee and right foot have been rated at 20 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability, L4-5 degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease and sciatica, was rated at 20 percent prior to March 18, 2003. From June 1, 2003, the rating remained at 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, migraines, skin disorder, DJD of the feet, lumbar spine DJD, right hip disability, and bilateral shin splints, were all denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's left knee, low back, and bilateral foot disorders to her military service. As a result, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease warrants a 60 percent rating under the old schedule for rating spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO.

The Board finds that the veteran sustained a shell fragment wound of the left hand in service and currently has residuals, including a retained metallic fragment. The claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as his inability to walk is attributed to a non-service-connected upper motor neuron lesion.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than noncompensable for his hearing loss or a rating higher than 20 percent for his low back disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding no evidence of such a condition in service or within the presumptive period. The only medical opinion provided does not support a relationship between current back problems and active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain syndrome and wedging of the thoracic spine, residuals of tendon repair of the left foot, and optic nerve atrophy of the left eye. The evidence received since the previous denials did not provide new or material information to support these claims.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to clarify the diagnosis and etiology of the veteran's hip and low back disorder, as well as obtain all outstanding VA medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability was not incurred during his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic low back disability and bladder cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and inadequate VA examination. The veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hip disorder, right knee disorder, and low back disorder are secondary to his service-connected left knee arthritis.