Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The veteran's low back, L5 radiculopathy, right ankle, and bilateral pes planus disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or establish service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain, paravertebral myositis, and spondylosis is being remanded to the RO for further development.

The veteran's low back disorder, specifically spondylolysis at the L5 level, is related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back condition, neck condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, bilateral wrist condition, and bilateral ankle condition were dismissed as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and further development.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, as the earliest possible date permitted by the effective date regulations has been granted.

The appeal is remanded for a new examination to address the veteran's claim for increased ratings.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and for post-traumatic arthritis as secondary to gunshot wound residuals, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic back disability, a chronic respiratory disorder, and a bilateral ankle disability as there was no evidence of a causal connection between any current disabilities and the veteran's active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year of discharge, and no competent medical evidence linking the current hearing loss to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for left leg numbness as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and a higher initial rating for the lumbar spine disability are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's lumbar strain and intervertebral disc syndrome affecting the left lower extremity do not meet the criteria for ratings in excess of 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding no evidence linking the current condition to any injury or disease in service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine arthritis and cervical spine arthritis as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor was there any evidence of arthritis manifesting to a compensable degree within one year of discharge.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left shoulder, right knee, left elbow, lumbar spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities were denied.

The veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to January 15, 2005, and increased to 40 percent effective that date.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability is being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and re-adjudication of the veteran's claims.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right and left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities.