Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in current disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disorder in service and concluded that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to his service-connected residuals of right and left calcaneal fractures, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus and low back disorder are service-connected, but his bilateral knee disorder claim is denied as new evidence does not establish a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The claim for a lumbar spine disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied reopening of claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for her service-connected low back disability, degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, was denied as she did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, major depressive disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's hypertension and plantar fasciitis are not rated as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance, but not housebound status. Special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and an initial rating for low back pain with herniated nucleus pulpous were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disability for the cervical spine disorder, while finding that the Veteran's low back disability warranted a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with no additional evaluations granted as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and neurogenic bladder, finding that these conditions are associated with the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to service, including an in-service automobile accident. Therefore, service connection for a back disability, right hip disability, bilateral leg injury as secondary to a back disability, and right kidney disability are denied.

The Veteran's eye and back disabilities were not found to be related to service. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation and service connection for bilateral leg and foot pain secondary to her low back disability was denied. The current evaluation of 20 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's chronic low back strain was rated at 40 percent effective November 13, 2008. The claim for an increased rating for torn medial meniscus of the right knee and residuals of torn left knee ligaments were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spine DDD are not related to his active duty service.