Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, hypertension, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred or aggravated during his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for lumbar degenerative changes with low back strain effective April 8, 2007.,A 10 percent rating has been assigned for right ankle arthrosis since May 18, 2004.,Sinusitis is rated at 10 percent since May 18, 2004.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection, and the Board also remanded for further examination of his low back, right hand, and right knee disabilities. Service connection was not granted for PTSD.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VCAA notice and incomplete treatment records.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee patellar femoral syndrome, low back pain, and depression due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between any currently existing disabilities and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and skin disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, right shoulder bursitis, and lumbosacral strain have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at a 10% disability rating for his right shoulder bursitis and a 10% disability rating for his lumbosacral strain.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability did not begin in service or for many years thereafter and has not been shown to be otherwise related to service. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his military service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current, chronic shoulder disability and denied his claim for service connection as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability and granted service connection for 50% of the Veteran's disability due to lumbosacral disc disease as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not render him permanently bedridden or so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. He is able to ambulate independently for short distances, is generally independent in self-care, is apparently able to feed himself, and is able to leave his house at his own discretion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and low back condition, both secondary to his service-connected knee injury with chondromalacia, were denied by the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as the submitted statements from his brother and employer did not relate the current back disorder to his period of military service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for the lumbar spine, HIV/AIDS, and cervical spine conditions. His hypertension and sleep disorder service connection claims have also been dismissed.

The Board found no relationship between the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability and his military service, including any claimed in-service injuries. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection.