Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The veteran's lumbosacral and thoracic strains were rated at 10 percent, with no higher ratings assigned for the periods considered.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disability to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Board remands the appeal as to the issues of a current evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, as well as an increased rating for service-connected hiatal hernia with ulcerative esophagitis, and a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for a scar on the head, and claims for service connection for chronic headaches and lumbar disc disease were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, a skin disorder, bronchitis, and a low back disorder. The claim to reopen the low back disorder was denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an increased evaluation for cystic acne.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating and service connection for various conditions, as they were not supported by the evidence.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes and right shoulder strain were rated at 10 percent, as the evidence did not support higher ratings for either condition.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's low back disability.

The veteran does not have a back, right knee, or left knee disability that was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board finds that the veteran's current low back strain is as likely as not related to the inservice complaints of and treatment for low back strain, granting service connection.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for hepatitis C and cancer of the tongue, and the appeal was dismissed. The claim for a low back disorder was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder was not aggravated by his military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was determined to be related to an injury from a mine explosion in service, while other conditions were denied service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain and bilateral pes planus were denied, but the case was remanded to obtain further medical evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition, to include COPD, and a low back disorder as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

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

The Board denied service connection for the postoperative residuals of lumbosacral strain, with degenerative disc disease, as there was no evidence showing that the condition was incurred during or related to active service.