Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, low back disability, and right leg condition (to include right hip condition) due to lack of new and material evidence for the right knee claim and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. His anxiety disorder and PTSD claims were also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's right hip arthralgias and low back spondylosis.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 24, 2005 for the assignment of a 40 percent evaluation for the service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural defects in notification under the VCAA. The veteran and his attorney need to be provided with a corrective VCAA letter, and any additional evidence should be considered.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is proximately due to his service-connected right hip disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lower back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine L1 compression fracture did not warrant an increased evaluation beyond 20 percent, as his symptoms were consistent with a flexion of at least 60 degrees and no evidence of favorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disorder and bilateral knee disorder secondary to his service-connected ankle disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his service or service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation due to unclear findings and potential progression of the disability, including consideration of intervertebral disc syndrome criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation or service connection based on secondary to his left foot plantar callosity.

The Board has determined that the appellant was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday, and therefore does not meet the criteria for recognition as a helpless child.

The Board has ordered the case remanded due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying the veteran's claim, particularly regarding the credibility of lay statements supporting his claim and the question of in-service aggravation of a pre-service disability.

The VA denied a higher rating for the veteran's low back pain, finding that his disability has only slight limitation of motion and no additional loss due to pain or other factors. The service-connected degenerative disc disease was not found to be related to the veteran's current low back disability.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the service-connected lumbosacral strain with levorotational scoliosis effective January 19, 2006. The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for psoriasis was also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will consider the service connection claim for a back condition on the merits.

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

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for chronic lumbosacral strain to allow further development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and a respiratory disorder secondary to asbestos exposure. The evidence did not establish a direct link between the current conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder had its onset during service and is related to in-service trauma, granting service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.