Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain, with history of herniated disc, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The case was remanded to obtain additional evidence and ensure compliance with the Board's previous remand instructions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for a TDIU, finding that the current assigned ratings were appropriate.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was not related to his service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a low back disorder on a direct basis, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The claim for a higher rating for pes planus was remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected low back disorder, as there was no evidence of ankylosis or other factors that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disability and hypertension were granted, while the increased rating claims for chondromalacia of both knees remained at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding no evidence that his current condition is related to his military service.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for a comprehensive VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied each of the claims as listed on the title page, including service connection for PTSD and various other conditions.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the relationship between any current cervical spine disability and service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and a low back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a conclusion that either condition was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as they were not proximately due to, or the result of, the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left foot injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroenteritis, a low back condition, sinusitis, and right elbow epicondylitis as there was no evidence linking these conditions to any incident of active service.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound or needing the aid and attendance of another.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected residuals of a lumbar spine fracture, L4-5 with spinal stenosis and facet syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is productive of recurring incapacitating episodes that preclude employment and interfere with activities of daily living, warranting a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's lumbar disc disease was rated at 20 percent from June 12, 2002, but no higher ratings were granted for the other conditions.