Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disorder, including degenerative arthritis, is related to service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the appellant's cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right and left cervical radiculopathy do not meet the schedular criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and readjudication.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of evidence, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA audiological examination to determine if hearing loss is related to service exposure, and scheduling a VA orthopedic examination to determine if the low back disability is related to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and headache disorder was not addressed due to the 'unknown' status of these issues.,Service connection for joint pain was denied as there is no evidence linking current joint pain to military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of low back injury with pain in the lower extremities, cervical spine injury, and pneumothorax. The reasons given include a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for a lower back disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability and blood disease/Hepatitis C were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the service-connected post-operative lumbar disc disease with residuals since June 4, 2004. Additionally, a separate 10 percent rating is assigned for mild incomplete paralysis (neuropathy) of the left lower extremity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is as likely as not related to his in-service back injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, left knee tendinosis, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the neck, right shoulder, right knee and right hip. The appellant is currently rated at 30% for his PTSD disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disorder and denied it on a de novo basis, finding that new evidence did not establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for memory loss and fatigue, as well as increased ratings for hemorrhoids and a left wrist disability.,Right ear hearing loss was not shown in the veteran's service records or within one year of discharge. The VA audiologist found normal right ear hearing throughout the appeal period.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his chronic low back pain with disc degeneration was granted, but the current rating of 20% is upheld as it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on range of motion and neurological findings.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The veteran's claim of service connection for low back disability is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hysterectomy, sinus disorder, back disorder, GERD, and allergies. The veteran was not shown to have a current disability related to these conditions that developed in or was aggravated by her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service records and arranging a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting low back disorder was aggravated by service, and thus service connection is granted for this condition.