Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability and is granting it, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The case is now remanded to consider the merits of the claim.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including total right knee replacement, lumbar stenosis, and total left knee replacement, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants the claim for TDIU.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar strain did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The RO denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disability, on a direct incurrence basis only, and a low back disability, including as secondary to service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left ankle.,The RO also denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, on a direct incurrence basis only.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of this claim, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied all service connection claims and increased rating claims, finding that the veteran did not meet the criteria for any of the conditions listed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability and skin disability are not related to his service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a low back disability that was present in service or is otherwise related to active duty service.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 10 percent for chronic synovitis of the right knee and left knee, but denied a higher rating for chronic muscular strain, low back. The veteran's symptoms are attributed to his service-connected thoracic spine disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease warrants a 30 percent evaluation, which is more favorable to his claim than the prior 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral knee disability and back disability were not incurred in or aggravated during service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability and remanded it for further development, including scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for joint and muscle pain, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, finding no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of both feet was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim. The low back disability issue is remanded for further examination.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, and service connection for a lumbar spine disability was not established. The RO increased the rating of PTSD to 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any current findings in the lumbar or thoracic spine are related to service. The veteran's back condition is currently being considered for service connection.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's claims for PTSD, low back disability, and hypertension. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for further action.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected low back disorder, which includes lumbosacral strain, limitation of motion, and degenerative disc disease, does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.