Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The veteran's degenerative disc disease in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine was not service-connected. However, involuntary twitching of the arms, hands and legs and vertigo were both service-connected as due to an undiagnosed illness based on his Persian Gulf War service.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities do not meet the criteria for ratings in excess of 30 percent, 20 percent, and 10 percent respectively.

The veteran's degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted a 40 percent rating, effective June 21, 2004.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for post-traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as the evidence did not support an increase.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, a low back disability, and a skin disability.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss, back disability, and lung scarring were not related to his service.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar disc disease, resolving all reasonable doubt in the veteran's favor.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and avascular necrosis of the left leg as there was no evidence to support that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and separate disability ratings, finding that the evidence did not support an earlier date of entitlement or a basis for separate ratings.

The veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine and lumbar spine, effective September 23, 2002.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for loss of vision, diabetes mellitus, left leg venous insufficiency, psychiatric disorder (dysthymia and depression), hypertension, lumbosacral strain, heart disorder, and residuals of dental trauma as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left great toe disorders were rated at 10 percent each, as the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for foot problems and spinal problems, to include degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's period of active military service.

The Board denied the applications to reopen claims for service connection for the residuals of a low back injury and numbness of the hands and feet, as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disorder, resolving all doubt in the veteran's favor.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right ankle disorder, residuals of a right wrist injury, a GSW to the abdomen, peptic ulcer disease, hypertension, bilateral knee and hip arthritis, and a back disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, a left shoulder disorder, chronic disability manifested by low back pain, and Klinefelter's Syndrome. The veteran was also denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected shell fragment wound (SFW) of the left hip and buttock was granted, with a 40 percent rating assigned effective July 24, 2007.