Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's right knee, left hip, and low back disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right knee, left knee, or back disability incurred during service. The veteran's only service-connected condition is schizophrenia.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess service connection claims.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for back disability due to new and material evidence received since the June 1978 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's low back disability was granted an initial rating of 40 percent effective August 1, 2003 through February 11, 2004. Effective September 1, 2004, he received a higher rating of 40 percent for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. Service connection was granted for left leg disability.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and low back disabilities due to incomplete records, including a lack of service medical records from his active duty period. The AMC is instructed to obtain these records and any relevant post-service VA or private medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the veteran's pre-existing condition was not aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and dermatophytosis of the hands and feet, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for an additional VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and further medical evaluation.

The veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and a back disorder are being remanded to the RO for further development, including consideration of new evidence submitted by his buddy statement.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's tinnitus to his active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, effective from the date of the May 1999 decision establishing service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired low back condition, finding that his congenital spondylolysis existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The Board concluded that there is no evidence of an acquired low back disability due to disease or injury incurred in service.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating was denied, and he is currently receiving a 30 percent rating for his cervical spine disability.

The veteran's current low back disability is related to his injuries in service, and the Board grants service connection for residuals of a low back injury.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for low back strain is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, heart disease, degenerative joint disease of the knees, hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis, and sinusitis are not supported by competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.