Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for mechanical low back pain with intervertebral disc syndrome, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The appeal was denied for service connection of a low back disorder, and the claim for a skin rash was not reopened. However, new and material evidence was found to support reopening the claim for a bilateral knee disorder.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and no competent medical evidence linking any current disability to active duty.

The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected low back disability.

The Board remands the case for another VA examination to determine if a current back disorder is related to service, specifically addressing an injury in 1980.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and dysthymic and anxiety disorders. The claim to reopen for migraine headaches was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen a claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a fungal infection of the feet, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The case is remanded to address the appellant's basic eligibility for VA benefits and readjudicate his service connection claims.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disorder or psychiatric disorder that was incurred in service, and denied the claims.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding no evidence linking the condition to service or to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a higher rating for the residuals of a gunshot wound to the lower lumbar region with damage to muscle group XX, as the evidence did not support a finding of severe disability.

The Board denied service connection for a stomach and low back disorder, as well as initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity paresthesia and 10 percent for residuals of an injury to the nose status post septoplasty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for lumbosacral strain, and the Board found that a left knee disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were not related to active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left knee disability, as well as an increased rating for bilateral heel spurs with plantar fasciitis.

The Board granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear, but denied service connection for a low back disorder and diffuse large cell, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes and increased the rating to 20 percent, effective February 11, 2005. The Board also granted ratings of 20 percent for right and left lower peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for duodenal ulcer disease and a separate 10 percent rating for left knee degenerative joint disease by X-ray with painful motion, but the claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, PTSD, and left knee instability were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left knee disorder and service connection for right knee and back disorders, as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating or establish that these conditions were related to his active service or any incident therein.

The appeal is remanded for further development of the evidence, including obtaining a new medical opinion to determine the etiology of the veteran's low back and knee conditions as well as his hearing loss and tinnitus.