Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current chronic low back disorder, COPD, or hypertension that is due to any incident or event in military service.

The veteran's service-connected endometriosis was granted a 50% evaluation effective May 1, 2005. The appeal for lumbosacral strain and allergic rhinitis is dismissed.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disorder is unrelated to his in-service injury, whether from an automobile accident or a combat-related explosion. The evidence did not support service connection for the veteran's claimed disability.

The veteran's chronic low back strain is rated at 20 percent since January 6, 2007. Prior to this date, the disability was rated as 10 percent. The rating reflects orthopædic manifestations of the condition.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and/or housebound status is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, arthritis of the cervical spine, arthritis of the lumbar spine, and peptic ulcer. The veteran also requested a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge but later withdrew his request.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's post-operative residuals of cervical spine stenosis with degenerative disc disease and arthritis, currently rated at 60 percent.

The veteran's hepatitis C with liver fibrosis, degenerative disc disease of L4-S1 with spinal stenosis, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee have been granted service connection. However, his claims for higher evaluations are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to lack of recent medical records and a need for updated VA examinations.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for back disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, and respiratory/lung disease (claimed as a residual of asbestos exposure) were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's neck and back disorders are not service-connected, but his left shoulder disorder is rated at 30% since September 9, 2004. The effective date for this rating remains under review.

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 Board's October 23, 1984 decision denying the TDIU benefits was revised due to clear and unmistakable error. The veteran is now entitled to reinstatement of his TDIU benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral disc disease warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective from August 9, 2004.

The Board found that the veteran's current cervical spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, is not related to her military service. The examiner opined that the condition was less likely than not a result of motor vehicle accidents in 1987 and 1990.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any current disabilities related to his service, and therefore, he is denied entitlement to service connection for multiple conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of her service-connected disabilities and whether they have resulted in her unemployment.

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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, resulting in a denial.