Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip disability does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent, and his lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Both conditions were rated as 'direct' (not based on a presumption or secondary service connection).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disorder and back disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that is related to the current conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board, with no compensable rating assigned for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine if the veteran's low back disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and multiple knee replacements, render him unemployable.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of reopening his claim for service connection for the residuals of a back injury and has determined that he is entitled to service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, diagnosed primarily as degenerative disc disease at T6-T7 and lumbosacral strain. The issue of entitlement to service connection for shoulder nerve pain and numbness remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and right hip disability were denied. The claim for an initial increased rating for allergic rhinitis was granted with a 30% evaluation effective May 7, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that it is presumed to have been incurred during the Veteran's service due to degenerative joint disease and traction spurs.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete Social Security Administration records and other evidentiary development is needed.

The Veteran's lumbar disc disease has not resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbar disc disease are not met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected osteoporosis of the lumbar spine and malaria, finding that neither condition warranted a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied reopening of the Veteran's service connection claim for a back disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been received to show aggravation in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and denied the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen her previously denied service connection for lumbar strain, finding that new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to afford him a hearing. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a skin disability (claimed as a bilateral leg rash), and a lumbar spine disability are still under consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder and headaches are not related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the last final denial does not meet the criteria for reopening the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current low back disabilities have been previously established and are attributed to non-service-connected causes.