Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain and remanded it for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected GSW of the low back warrants a 10 percent evaluation, reflecting moderate muscle damage. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for his abdominal scar.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence on whether the veteran's current foot condition and back pain are related to service.

The veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed back disability, UTI disorder, and dental condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and a back disability, as well as his claim for dental treatment eligibility. The Board found that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's attempts to reopen his claims for service connection for a low back disability and right knee disability, as well as his claim for an increased rating for left knee disability. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for right knee disability and increased rating for left knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder with pain, leg symptoms and sciatica, as well as COPD, asthma and bronchitis. The Board found that a chronic back disorder was not manifested during or within one year after service, nor is there competent evidence relating current back disorder to service. For COPD, asthma and bronchitis, the Board concluded that they were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran is seeking to establish service connection for right low back strain with muscle spasm, which he claims is related to his service-connected post-operative left ankle condition. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine strain, currently evaluated at 40 percent. The evidence did not show that he met or nearly approximated the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for such an increase.

The VA has determined that the veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on orthopedic manifestations, incapacitating episodes, or neurological manifestations.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss did not occur in service and is not due to any in-service events, including claimed noise exposure. The back disability was also denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of all applicable rating criteria, including those in effect prior to September 26, 2003.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his hip and back conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbar disc disease and service connection for right lower radicular neuropathy. The RO had previously granted service connection for right lower radicular neuropathy, but did not assign a disability rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The veteran's PTSD was also found not to be incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his service, and denied service connection for these conditions. The Board also found no evidence of bilateral hand numbness being incurred in or aggravated by service.

The case is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and further development of the claim for service connection for depression. Other issues are also being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, depression, and ventral hernia. The claim for service connection for a low back disability was not granted as there is no evidence linking it to active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus with retinopathy and neuropathy is not related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.