Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a back disability, finding that there is no evidence linking these disabilities to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cystitis and a low back disorder, finding no current diagnoses or evidence of in-service injury that could be linked to these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected status post lumbar laminectomy with degenerative joint disease and recurrent right sciatica is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back strain is related to his service injury, and granted service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury, lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, PTSD, and GERD. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has found no medical evidence of record that would warrant a staged rating for the increased rating claim. The veteran's right knee disability was evaluated utilizing Diagnostic Code 5257, and his lumbosacral strain was evaluated under Diagnostic Code 5237 (lumbosacral strain). Both conditions were rated as non-compensably disabling.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for low back pain. The veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical degenerative joint disease with C-8 radiculopathy, dysthymia and major depression (claimed as secondary to cervical degenerative joint disease), and a compression fracture of the thoracic spine are denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for back and neck disorders, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and new evidence, requiring an examination of the veteran's left knee and lumbar spine.

The veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for SMP based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine condition and right lower extremity neurological impairment are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to procedural issues and representation changes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hip and low back disabilities are not service connected, as they were not shown to be related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc disease, is currently rated at 10 percent and the claim for an increased rating greater than 10 percent has been denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, status post laminectomy was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The VA denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the veteran's condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has denied service connection for back, neck, leg, and hand disorders as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran's claims are based on his assertions of in-service injuries or exposure, but the evidence does not support a finding that any current conditions are related to service.

The veteran's service-connected left hip fracture with degenerative changes resulted in a 20% rating effective February 12, 2004. The RO also granted service connection for right hip tendonitis as secondary to the left hip fracture and assigned a 10% rating effective February 12, 2004.