Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected low back disability, right femur disability, left femur disability, right tibia disability, and left knee disability are all rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent. The veteran's right ankle and left ankle disabilities have not been shown to warrant a higher than noncompensable rating.

The veteran's claim to restore the 20 percent rating for his HNP at L5-S1 on the left has been granted.,The veteran's claim to reopen for service connection for sleep apnea was not supported by new and material evidence, resulting in denial of this claim.,Service connection for hypertension was denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied.,Service connection for GERD was denied.,Service connection for a dental disorder was denied.,Secondary service connection for right hip, shoulder, and knee disorders was denied.

The veteran's military disability severance pay must be recouped from part of his VA disability compensation benefits due to a service-connected low back disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The callus formation of the fifth metatarsal of the left foot was granted a 10% evaluation, but no other conditions received an increase in rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's low back strain, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder secondary to his service-connected left ankle condition, as new and material evidence has been submitted. The issue is now on remand for further development.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for the claimed head injury, lumbar spine injury, or cervical spine injury. The veteran's complaints and diagnoses were not shown to be related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle disabilities, as well as back and neck conditions, were denied by the RO in March 1975. The Board has not reopened these claims due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and a determination of his current address.

The VA has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the veteran's residuals of fusion, L5-S1, with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his current symptoms.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues include reopening service connection claims for various conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied, and he is not entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine discogenic disease and a compensable initial disability rating for scars, wounds left buttock/hip.

The veteran's claims were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable or higher rating for his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, lumbosacral spine spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, right wrist tendonitis, and left wrist tendonitis.

The Board has reopened the veteran's service connection claim for a low back disorder and remanded it for further development.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease, secondary to lumbar paravertebral fibromyositis, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including a review of the veteran's claims file by an examiner and consideration of new evidence submitted since the last VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for cervical strain, thoracolumbar strain, tension headaches, and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome as there was no evidence of functional impairment or significant disability in any of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disorders. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 100% disabling.