Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board remands the claims for a higher initial rating for low back disability, dermatitis, and PTSD to schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated as 20 percent disabling, and the claims for service connection for bilateral hip disorder, right knee disorder, and low back disorder were denied.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, bilateral knee disability, right ankle disability, bilateral leg disability, sinus disability, depression, headaches, and gynecological disability as there was no evidence of chronic conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent. He was granted service connection for PTSD, but his coronary artery disease is not related to his military service.

The appeal for service connection for residuals of a head injury was withdrawn by the Veteran. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence that it is related to active service.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the Veteran's postoperative residuals of spinal fusion of L4-S1, with pathology between L4 and L5, and radiculopathy of the right lumbosacral plexus, as the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disorder or 10 percent for each lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board finds that the Veteran's arthritis, numbness of the hands, neck, and legs, stiffness and pain of the elbows, neck, and shoulders, a calcium growth on the right shoulder, and low back disability are all secondary to his service-connected meningitis.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding no evidence of chronic symptoms during or immediately after service and no medical nexus between the current condition and active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee/leg disabilities and a low back disability, as there was no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board remands the case to the AMC/RO for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records of private treatment since December 2002.

The Board remands the issues for further development, including a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, a low back disorder, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral foot disorder. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right leg and foot numbness was also denied.

The Veteran's low back disability was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent based on the current level of symptoms and examination findings.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, right hip disability, and disability manifested by chest pain as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine whether the Veteran's pre-existing low back disorder was aggravated during his last period of active service.

The Board is reopening the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral hip condition on the basis of new and material evidence, but remanding these claims to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) for further development before readjudicating them on the underlying merits. The claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is denied.

The Board grants the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral strain, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the claims for service connection as new and material evidence was not submitted, and there is no current diagnosis of a rash on the bilateral feet or low back arthritis.