Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and right shoulder disorder as there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were related to inservice acoustic trauma, while a chronic low back disorder was not supported by the evidence.

The Board remanded the case for further development as it denied the appellant's claims of service connection for left knee, left hip and back disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for plantar warts and calluses of the feet and mechanical low back pain with degenerative changes, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's low back strain was rated at 10 percent prior to August 26, 2008, and increased to 40 percent as of that date. The Veteran also received separate ratings for left and right sciatic radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental disorder, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, cervical strain, residuals of vein harvest on the left lower extremity, right and left knee chondromalacia, and scar of the left inner thigh were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of L5-S1, finding that the orthopedic manifestations did not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for right knee, left knee, cervical strain, and low back conditions were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and service connection for a psychiatric disorder are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, a seizure disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and sinus problems were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's low back disability, as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a higher rating.

The appeal was remanded to obtain SSA records relevant to the claims on appeal.

The veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, low back disorder, left elbow disorder, and right knee disorder were withdrawn. The ratings assigned for the left shoulder, left knee, and left foot disorders were denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and right hip bursitis based on new and material evidence, but these claims must be readjudicated on the underlying merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, discogenic disc disease of the lumbar spine, arthritis, and refractive error as there was no evidence that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the service connection claims and an updated examination for the right hip disability.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence was against the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a urethral injury, and earlier effective dates for back and psychiatric disorders were denied. A right ankle disorder claim was remanded.