Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The veteran's initial disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and arthritis of the left ankle were denied, with a rating of 20 percent assigned for each condition.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current low back disability to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back and hip disorders are related to his service-connected right knee disability, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pinched nerves and radiculopathy secondary to degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, as well as his claim for higher initial ratings for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The appeals were dismissed due to untimely filing of a substantive appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for swelling of the parotid glands and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding no evidence of a chronic condition to account for the swelling or any link between the current conditions and service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a low back disability. However, as the appeal is about reopening an old claim rather than deciding on the merits of service connection, no rating or effective date will be assigned.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent, as there was no evidence of ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome. The current evaluation of 40 percent is appropriate based on the medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and assigned an initial evaluation of 50 percent for PTSD. The skin cancer claim was denied, and the TDIU claim is remanded to the RO.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis left ankle and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine were denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher evaluation based on current medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability and right upper extremity injury are not service-connected, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and bilateral athlete's feet (tinea pedis). The veteran's low back condition is not related to his active service, as there was no chronic or recurrent condition noted in the service records. His current athlete's feet are also not related to his service, with the VA examiner concluding that they were pre-existing conditions.,The Board found that the veteran's current athlete's feet did not manifest during service and were not aggravated by service. The VA examiner concluded that the current athlete's feet are unrelated to his service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability of the back and denied his claim for service connection. The left knee issue is pending as it requires further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing a supplemental statement of the case and scheduling an examination to address the appellant's claims related to his ACDUTRA period.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lumbosacral spine, bilateral shoulder strain, and bilateral hip strain disabilities are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected knee and spine disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current hearing loss disability, and the veteran's knee and spine conditions are rated based on limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Board is remanding the claims for tinnitus, low back disorder, hip disorder, leg numbness, and thigh disorder to the RO for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a culdocentesis procedure. However, the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for nerve damage to the right thigh and lumbar spine disorder are denied as there is no current diagnosed disability related to VA medical care.