Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's chronic lumbosacral sprain did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 26, 2003.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a back disability related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating of his lumbosacral radiculopathy, finding that he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including back disability, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and various knee disabilities. The evaluations for the knees and ankle disabilities were also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private hospitalization reports.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to a change in hearing officer.

The veteran's service connection claims for low back disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability to include degenerative joint disease, and hypertension. The claim for service connection for hepatitis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for dermatitis is assigned a rating of 10 percent.

The veteran seeks service connection for a low back disorder and an increased evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder. The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for a low back disorder can be reopened, but it is unclear if the current severity of his PTSD warrants an increase in evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss and back condition, finding no new and material evidence. The decision is based on the lack of medical evidence linking current conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy is not related to his service or herbicide exposure, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, which was previously denied in January 1978. The current evidence suggests that the veteran's back disorder may be related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for back and foot disorders, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the case can be decided, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a digestive disorder, a skin disorder, a back disability, and a knee disability were all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to military service.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the current diagnosis and relationship of any diagnosed conditions to service. The veteran's claim for service connection remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee and low back conditions are related to his military service, granting service connection for both.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar spine disability and spastic paresis of the left lower extremity were not incurred or aggravated by his active service.,There is no evidence showing a current diagnosis of these conditions, and the medical records do not establish their relationship to service.

The veteran's lumbar disc disease has been rated at 40 percent, the highest schedular rating available for this condition.

The veteran's appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has also dismissed the claims of service connection for hearing loss, post-traumatic stress disorder, gout, and arthritis affecting both thumbs.