Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability, costal pain syndrome (Tietze's syndrome), and coronary artery disease are not related to his service-connected residuals of a brain hemorrhage.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the back disorder claim, leading to its dismissal.

The Board has found that additional development of evidence is required, including obtaining in-patient hospitalization records and sick/morning reports from the veteran's service. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for a low back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus, muscle spasm of the lumbar spine, iliotibial friction band syndrome of the left knee, and iliotibial friction band syndrome of the right knee.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine bulging and herniated disc with paravertebral muscle spasm/myositis, effective June 24, 2006. The veteran's other claims were remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left foot and ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is not related to his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, hearing loss, and a back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection was not granted as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has found no evidence of a current left hand disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The veteran is seeking higher ratings for her service-connected mechanical low back pain and left shoulder muscle insertion strain, but an adequate examination was not provided to determine the severity of these conditions. The veteran also seeks service connection for headaches, which requires further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice and a need for a VA examination regarding service connection for a low back disability secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected back disorder warrants a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Code 6523 for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The veteran's claims for service connection for prostatitis, kidney cysts, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and headaches were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development of the veteran's Air National Guard service records and requested verification of all periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The case will be reviewed again after this information is obtained.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, bilateral hip condition, right knee condition, and depression, all secondary to his service-connected excision of mass from distal left thigh and left knee disability. The effective date remains August 16, 2005.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with anterolisthesis of L4 on L5 and painful limited motion, as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy. The veteran is now rated at 20 percent for each condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and the need for a VA examination of the veteran's service-connected low back disability. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.