Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for the degree of aggravation of a lumbosacral herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) attributable to service-connected lumbar fibromyositis, and increased the rating for lumbar fibromyositis from 10% to 40%. The case is now remanded to determine an appropriate disability rating for HNP based on its aggravation by lumbar fibromyositis.

The veteran's service connection claims for syncopal episodes with hypotension, left internal carotid artery aneurysm, headaches, and bilateral plantar fasciitis were granted. The claim for lower extremity bruising (claimed as spider veins) was denied. An initial higher evaluation of 40 percent was granted for myofacial pain syndrome of the lumbosacral spine with rotational scoliosis, also claimed as radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disability, post-operative herniated disc, lumbar spine, was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The VA will seek out any missing records from her treatment providers and request information about stressors related to her claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient review of the claims file and need for additional examination. The veteran's claim for service connection for back condition is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and disability exhibited by chronic neck pain, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cold injury residuals to the feet and legs, a back disability, and entitlement to TDIU due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance, nor specially adapted housing or a home adaptation grant.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and for an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current back disorder. The hypertension claim is inextricably intertwined with the back disability claim.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation to 60 percent for the veteran's low back disability, finding that his symptoms more nearly approximate the criteria for pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome under the old rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaption grants were denied as he does not meet the legal criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right hand disorders, finding that there is no evidence of chronicity of these conditions after service separation.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee and low back disorders are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability or injury during active duty. The residuals of an inguinal hernia were also not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar strain, degenerative joint disease, and lumbar spine disability is productive of degenerative disc disease with no neurological deficits or muscle spasm. The Board finds that the manifestations more closely approximate a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for consideration of new evidence and a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, status-post laminectomy, is a result of service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his low back disorder, diabetes mellitus, and duodenal ulcer disease. The issues of increased evaluations for diabetes mellitus and duodenal ulcer disease were withdrawn by the veteran during a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has decided that the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, GERD, hypertension, and a back disability should be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The stressors claimed by the veteran need to be verified, and further examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current back disability, hypertension, and arthritis of the entire body are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine DDD and DJD, as well as his claim for an anxiety disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.