Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral strain and limitation of motion in the right wrist were denied as there is no medical evidence that she currently suffers from these disabilities, nor is there evidence linking them to her active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updating treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine and depression are being reviewed.

The Veteran's ratings for his low back disability and associated pain and numbness of the left lower extremity were reduced from 60 to 20 percent, and from 10 to zero percent respectively. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and to reopen a claim of service connection due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his military service, and thus granted service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar and/or thoracic spine was denied as there is no evidence that his current condition is related to active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the appellant's back disorder is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than April 28, 1999 for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with disc extrusion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and associated neurological manifestations were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of those assigned.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that the submitted evidence was not new and material to reopen the claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Barrett's Esophagitis and increased disability ratings for COPD and IVDS of the lumbar spine, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not causally related to an incident of his service, and a right upper extremity disorder was not incurred in service. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as grade 1 spondylolisthesis of L5-S1 and degenerative disc disease, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for cervical spine disability was denied, and his lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation or service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or a direct link between his military service and his current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes warranting prescription bed rest by a physician. The current 40 percent rating remains in effect.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder disability, right ankle condition (broken right leg), back disability, transient ischemic attack, and headaches have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.