Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine was rated at 40 percent, and separate ratings for mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerves and voiding dysfunction were assigned.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 40 percent, and his left ankle disability was rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for left knee and low back disabilities, as there was no evidence of a disability in service or within one year of separation, and no evidence associating the current conditions with active military duty.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability was rated at 20 percent for the period prior to September 26, 2003, but a rating in excess of 20 percent was not warranted thereafter.

The veteran's current lumbar spine disorder (degenerative disc disease, spondylosis and stenosis) is related to an injury received from a fall from a horse during the veteran's military service. Degenerative arthritis of both hips was not incurred in service.

The Board remands the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and providing adequate notice to the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and prostate gland disability.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining private medical records and a new orthopedic examination.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected cervical spine disability is being remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for a lumbar and thoracic spine condition.

The Board remands the claims for further development and readjudication.

The claims for service connection for a back disability and sinusitis are being remanded due to an inadequate medical examination.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain, claimed as a back injury, was aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for all the claimed conditions, except for pseudoptosis and paralysis of trigeminal nerve which were rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic lumbar strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The case is remanded for additional development and adjudication of the issues of entitlement to service connection for lumbar disc disease and a rating in excess of 40 percent for chronic recurrent low back strain.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability was not related to his military service and denied the claim.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining any relevant medical records.