Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are not attributable to his active military service.

The veteran's initial rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder/post-traumatic stress disorder was granted at a 30 percent disability evaluation, and an additional 20 percent rating was assigned for his thoracolumbar spine condition. The right knee and lower extremity disabilities were each rated at 10 percent initially.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected lower spine disorder, effective December 26, 2007. The veteran also maintains his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbar and lower thoracic myositis and left arm cervical radulopathy.

The veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining current VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination of his spine.

The veteran's back condition is currently rated at 60 percent, and his sexual dysfunction claim was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain with left leg sciatica, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence of a chronic condition in service.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran is able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with lumbar spondylosis status post L4-L5 diskectomy, foraminotomy, medial facetectomy, hemilaminectomy. Therefore, the criteria for termination of TDIU have been met.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing to be scheduled before a Veterans Law Judge sitting at the RO. The veteran was not adequately informed of the date, time and place of his Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing thoracic scoliosis was aggravated by service, including to the lumbar spine. The skin disorder claim is not addressed as it does not involve a service connection issue.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability incurred during service and concluded that the current low back disorder is not related to service. The stomach disorder was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back and neck disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional procedural and evidentiary development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining clarification from Dr. Kumm.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from 1989 to 1995 and considering new evidence submitted in May 2008.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his PTSD and lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and a low back disorder, finding no evidence of these conditions in service or related to service. Service connection was also denied for diabetes mellitus secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and thus could not establish service connection for PTSD based on a verified stressor. The other conditions were also denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability was not present in service and is not attributable to any injury during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.