Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine arthritis, low back strain, and right knee arthritis are denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, finding that prior to April 1, 2005, the disability was only manifested by mild impairment.

The VA denied an increased rating for the service-connected spondylosis of the lumbar spine, currently rated at 20 percent.

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

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed lumbar spine condition, status post laminectomy, and right shoulder condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's service connection claims for leg shin splints, low back pain, left foot disorder, and dry skin as there is no medical evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a temporary total rating beyond September 30, 2002. She is also no longer eligible for special monthly compensation due to her reduced disability rating and lack of permanent housebound status. The effective date for TDIU remains October 1, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and outstanding medical records. The veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disorder, asbestos-related pleural disease, and low back disability were not incurred or aggravated by service. The heart disorder was presumed to be related to in-service exposure to asbestos fibers from his work as a machinist's mate. The low back disability was not shown to have been present within one year of separation from service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, left and right knee disabilities, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined rating of 70 percent for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a back disability related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder and granted it.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his low back disability, were denied. However, the veteran was granted a noncompensable evaluation for his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the third and fifth fingers of the left hand and pes planus with calcaneal spurs, status-post fracture of the right 5th metatarsal bone with plantar fasciitis and residuals (bilateral foot disability).

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder was not incurred or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The evidence does not support a finding of aggravation of his pre-existing condition.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, and for back and left hip disorders.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for her low back disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability related to the veteran's lower back or right knee conditions, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to outstanding records and the need for further medical examinations.