Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The veteran's initial ratings for lumbar discogenic disease, left ankle disorder, and right lumbar radiculopathy were granted. The low back disability is currently asymptomatic during flare-ups but manifests with mild to moderate spasm of the paraspinous muscles, moderate limitation of motion (LOM), and decreased sensation in the right lower extremity. The left ankle disorder resolves when not flared up, manifesting with some swelling and moderate LOM. No higher ratings are warranted for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for burn scars of the back was denied as there is no medical evidence linking her current condition to a burn injury sustained during active duty.,For residuals of a left ankle sprain, the veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to June 28, 1999. A 10% rating was granted effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disability are denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examinations did not find any current disabilities related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, low back disability, and headaches. The veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence showing current disabilities or linking them to his military service.,There is no credible evidence of any in-service injury or illness related to the claimed conditions.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis is rated at 40% since November 22, 2005. His headaches are not service-connected and his memory loss is rated at 10%. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the veteran's claimed low back disability or CIDP, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected tinnitus and chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, finding no legal basis for an increase in either rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints and a low back disorder, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability. The case is now remanded to determine if the lumbar spine and lower extremity disabilities are secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the treatment he received from SSA.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and other disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and hearing loss of the left ear as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

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

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his low back pain, currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral knee disorder and low back disorder to allow for further development.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that his current condition is not attributable to his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic back disability, finding that his current diagnosis of a chronic low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for a left ankle fracture with residual arthritis, service connection for back and shoulder disabilities. The issues remain on appeal.