Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

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

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with spondylolysis defect L/5 and spina bifida occulta defect S/1 was denied by the RO. The veteran requested de novo review, which resulted in a continued 20 percent disability rating.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbar disc disease does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, based on his current range of motion and symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a low back injury and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The right shoulder disability was granted but with no increase in rating.

The VA denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's cervical spine disorder, finding that his condition did not warrant a higher rating based on moderate limitation of motion and no signs of severe intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The veteran's low back disorder is being evaluated in relation to his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right ankle.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, but did not address or decide the service connection claim for cervical spine disability. The veteran's current rating for her lumbar spine condition remains at 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed chronic lumbar strain is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination. The veteran's claims are related to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the veteran's back disability.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and denied his claim for service connection. For scoliosis with history of lumbar pain, the rating assigned was 10 percent, which is the minimum compensable rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for shin splints and a low back condition were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for shin splints, and that there was no evidence linking the low back condition to his service-connected knee conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's additional disability of his back was not caused by VA negligence or error, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for various conditions, including a low back disorder, left ankle disability, otitis media with tympanoplasty, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that new evidence did not establish a causal link between the veteran's in-service low back strain and his current lumbar strain, thus denying service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral ankle disability as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The veteran's claims for increased ratings for arteriosclerotic heart disease and lumbosacral strain with bilateral sacroiliac arthritis have been denied, and the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for instability of the right knee has also been denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a low back disorder. The veteran's appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is more likely than not a result of his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and loss of bladder control. The claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was also denied.