Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, low back disability, arthritis, and hypertension as they were not shown to be related to the veteran's active military service. Additionally, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for acne vulgaris was also denied.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disorder, a rating in excess of 10 percent for associated sciatic neuralgia, and a rating in excess of 50 percent for the left hip strain. The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the left hip strain prior to December 6, 2005.

The veteran's GERD was service-connected, and she received a 10 percent rating for chronic allergic rhinitis starting from December 5, 2006. The other claims were denied or did not result in an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the right arm and hand, as well as a low back disorder, finding no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for arthritis of the lumbar spine with herniated nucleus pulposus was denied, as the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the low back and knees, as well as increased ratings for prostatitis and epididymitis, tinea versicolor, tinea pedis, and tinea cruris, a shell fragment wound to the left shoulder and upper back, a shell fragment wound scar of the upper left arm, and a right inguinal hernia. The veteran was granted special monthly compensation based on being housebound.

The case is remanded for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims.

The veteran's tinnitus was related to noise exposure in service.

The Board remands the matters for further development, including obtaining a more contemporaneous examination and additional medical opinions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, shortness of breath, stomach/intestine disability, and motion sickness are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and SSA records.

The appeal was denied as the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a low back disability and his PTSD has been productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency with intermittent inability to perform occupational tasks.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain is not productive of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's lumbosacral disability was found to be manifested by disc protrusion and mild stenosis at L2-3; a small disc protrusion at L4-5 with an annular tear, ligament hypertrophy, and mild stenosis; and a disc osteophyte complex at L5-S1 abutting the nerve root with decreased disc spacing. The Board concluded that the criteria for an increased initial rating were not met.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for low back strain is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a low back disability has been remanded for the purpose of scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The veteran was granted initial evaluations of 10 percent for lower back disability with surgical scar and right ankle disability, but the appeal for a left knee disability was remanded.

The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease with limited motion and radiculopathy was denied.

The veteran's current back condition was not related to his active military service.