Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The veteran's fungal disorder of the feet and toenails was found to have begun during service, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back and right wrist disabilities do not warrant higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus and lumbar degenerative disc disease, L-1/L-2. The issue of service connection for Crohn's disease is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's right knee, lower back, and cervical spine disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic low back condition in service or for many years thereafter, and the only competent medical opinion addressing the etiology of the veteran's current low back condition weighs against the claim.

The veteran's PTSD and low back disability were granted, while his hemorrhoids and hip disabilities did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's right knee and low back disabilities were not incurred during active service, nor are they secondary to his service-connected left knee, left ankle, or left foot disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral eye disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previous claim. The RO previously denied these claims in 1995 due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatic fever, heart disability, arthritis of the lumbar spine, peptic ulcer disease, adenocarcinoma of the stomach, hypertension, rhinitis, and sinusitis with headaches. The veteran did not have a diagnosis of rheumatic fever during or after his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current low back disorder or fibrosis/respiratory disorder, and there is no evidence of such disorders during service. The veteran's claimed bilateral foot disorder, PTSD, chronic joint pain, and extreme body and joint pain upon exposure to sunlight or heat are also denied as there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities, including bilateral knee disability, low back disability, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board has granted effective dates for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a 40% rating for degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 with facet arthropathy and neuroforaminal narrowing, and a 20% evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to degenerative disc disease. The effective date for service connection for depression has been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and granted a 20 percent rating for his intervertebral disc syndrome. The veteran does not have diagnosed PTSD, but has mild to moderate symptoms of intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not attributable to a disease or injury in service.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and back disability. The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee condition was granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral leg pains (claimed as secondary to a service-connected disability), and arthritis of the lumbar spine (claimed as secondary to a service-connected disability). The weight of the evidence is against these claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic osteoarthritis of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, are rated at a combined 50 percent. The Board has granted a total disability evaluation on the basis of individual unemployability due to these service-connected conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a current left shoulder, right hip, or back disorder in service or on separation. The veteran's complaints were not supported by medical evidence.,No service connection is granted for the claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including gastrointestinal disorder, hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, back disability, and right knee surgery residuals. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.