Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right wrist condition was rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines, while other issues remained unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA orthopedic examination to determine if the veteran's current back disorder is related to his period of active duty from January 1977 to May 1977. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's service periods and obtain relevant medical records. The claims for service connection will be remanded pending this development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination and readjudication of the claims based on additional evidence.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar arthritis from August 21, 2001. The veteran was previously rated at 10 percent since March 30, 1998.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need of aid and attendance of another was granted. The appeal regarding CUE with respect to a June 13, 2002 rating decision that denied entitlement to special monthly compensation is dismissed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc and joint diseases, finding no evidence of a current disability that is related to his military service.

The veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted based on moderate limitation of motion.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and eye disability were denied. The current evaluations of 20 percent for the back disability and non-compensable for the eye disability are maintained.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis of the lumbar spine and a cervical spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions in service or due to any service-connected disability.

The veteran's initial disability ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of both former and revised rating criteria.

The VA has granted an evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected low back injury and diabetes mellitus, but did not grant any increase in rating.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder with right leg pain and numbness, which he claims was caused by an injury during military service. He also seeks TDIU based on his disability. The Board has ordered additional development to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disorder.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining additional medical records and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities as a result of VA hospitalization in June 2003. The claim for service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected low back and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not show a marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization due to these conditions. The TDIU claim was also denied as the combined disability rating did not meet the required threshold.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records. The veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated to determine if they prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or associated neurological impairment.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected low back disability, finding that as of October 23, 1996, his limitation of motion was severe but did not warrant a higher rating.