Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, to include musculoligamentous strain with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, as the medical evidence did not show a back disability during service or many years thereafter and there was no nexus between a current back disability and any incident of service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine fracture residuals with degenerative arthritis, finding that the disability was manifested by pain and slight limitation of motion, which did not warrant a higher 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative changes does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for schizoaffective disorder, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, chest pain, gastrointestinal disability, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Veteran was also denied a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder with dyspepsia, seborrheic dermatitis claimed as skin rash, jungle rot, and chloracne, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. However, it has denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) has been granted.

The Veteran's recurrent lumbosacral strain has been granted a 20 percent disability rating, effective from the date of his current claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral spine, cervical spine (neck), and left shoulder disabilities as there was no competent medical evidence of current disabilities related to service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right shoulder, low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities as they were not related to active service.

The Board denied the claims for new and material evidence to reopen service connection for bilateral shin splints and a low back disorder, but granted service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver damage was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a liver disability related to his military service.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records from the Syracuse VAMC and Jackson, Mississippi VA facility for further review.

The Board denied an evaluation higher than 30 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, effective July 23, 2004; and higher than 40 percent, effective June 12, 2006; and higher than 50 percent, effective August 14, 2007.

The appeal is remanded for further development and adjudication of the issues on appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition, neck disorder/neck pain, and headaches. The claim to reopen for shortening of the left leg and residuals of leg pathology was also denied.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a statement from the Veteran's treating physician and an updated VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder and PTSD), upper respiratory disorder (including sinusitis and chronic nasal obstruction), and cysts on neck due to lack of credible evidence supporting the claims.