Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for a deviated septum, arthritis of the low back, osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips, left great toe disorder and herpes zoster as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability with radiculopathy and bilateral knee/leg disabilities, as well as increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD. The claim for TDIU was remanded.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and requested a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD, which was granted.

The Board remands the claims for further development and due process.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a causal relationship to the Veteran's military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current low back disability.

The Board remands the issue of service connection for a low back disorder to the RO/AMC for further development, including scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophagitis, and gastritis were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of a relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempts to reopen claims for service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral pes planus as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The appeal for service connection for liver failure was denied as there is no evidence of a present disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for the symptomatic removal of cartilage in the right knee.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, left knee and ankle disorders. The rating was increased from 30% to 20% for the right hip pain with atrophy of the right thigh and calf muscles.

The appeal is remanded for a Board hearing and additional development of the evidence.

The Board denied initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for various disabilities, including DJD of the right knee, postoperative meniscal tear of the right knee, DJD of the left knee, DJD and DDD of the lumbar spine, DJD of the right ankle, rotator cuff tear of the right shoulder, DJD of the left hip, surgical scars on the left thigh, left knee, lumbosacral spine, and right knee.

The Board remands the claim for a VA medical examination to determine whether the Veteran's lower back disability is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, lower back disorder, and left ankle disorder as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lumbosacral strain was granted, while the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and other conditions were denied.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia and low back sprain were related to active service, but hypertension was not.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound due to disability was denied, as well as his claim for automobile and adaptive equipment.