Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The veteran's low back disability was denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the range of motion and other factors.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of a 30 percent rating and an increased evaluation for his left shoulder disability, as well as an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after discharge and no medical evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The veteran's service-connected postoperative lumbosacral disc disease was rated at 40 percent from May 1, 2001, to September 26, 2003, due to severe intervertebral disc syndrome with recurring attacks and intermittent relief.

The veteran's claims for service connection for dysmenorrhea, epithelial keratitis, and low back disorder were denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids was granted a 10% rating.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine strain, finding that the veteran's condition had its onset in service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, left ankle disorder, left groin disorder, right groin disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral hearing loss as there is no competent medical evidence of record showing that the veteran currently has any of these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, lumbar spine disability and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not show that he currently had these disabilities.

The veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for his right knee disability, and service connection has been established for hepatitis C.,Service connection was granted for the veteran's hepatitis C based on evidence of a link between the condition and his period of active duty.

The veteran's initial ratings for allergic rhinitis, herniated disc of the lumbosacral spine, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were determined. The rating for the low back disability was increased to 40 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic low back disorder as there is no evidence that the veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and nervous disorder were reopened, but an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD, skin cancer, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral hearing loss for additional development of the medical record.

The veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, but the claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine disability was denied.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and headaches as they are causally related to the veteran's head injury during his National Guard training.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied, and the case is being remanded for further development.

The Board granted a 60 percent evaluation for the lumbar spine disability prior to September 23, 2002, and denied an increased rating on or after that date. The decision also granted separate evaluations of 10 percent each for right and left lower extremity neurological manifestations.

The appeal was remanded for additional development of the evidence, and the case must be returned to the AMC for appropriate consideration.

The Board increased the rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine to 20 percent, but denied a compensable rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board found that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but ultimately denied both claims.