Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board remands the claims for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has PTSD and a bilateral hip condition that is related to his service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability as there was no evidence to support a relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as effective dates prior to certain dates.

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

The case is remanded for additional development, including providing the Veteran with proper notice and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his low back and left ankle disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection on appeal to the RO via the AMC, in Washington, DC, for further development and adjudication.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for left knee and low back disabilities as there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's osteoporosis and back condition were not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to any incident of service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain, bilateral foot callosities with warts, hiatal hernia, and post-traumatic headaches, did not meet the criteria for higher ratings during the relevant periods.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and sinusitis with deviated septum.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent, and the left knee and hip disabilities were not increased from their current ratings. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of chronic conditions during service or a relationship between current disabilities and active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, tendonitis of the right Achilles tendon, and chronic soreness of the feet, to include multiple calluses, as there was no evidence that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's low back disability was increased to a 60 percent rating, and he is also entitled to consideration of a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis, a compensable rating for right inguinal hernia, and service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's low back disability was denied a rating in excess of 20 percent as the evidence did not show forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes.

The appeal was dismissed for the issue of a disability rating greater than 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus. The claim to reopen service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine was granted, and the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent, and he was granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the reduction from 60 percent to 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right lumbosacral radiculopathy involving multiple roots, including L4, L5, and S1, with bilateral leg pain was proper.

The appeal was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for pilonidal cyst, bilateral defective hearing, low back disability, colon polyps, and sleep disturbance on a direct basis, and for a skin disorder, sarcoidosis, and aortic valvular disease, claimed as due to herbicide exposure. The claim of new and material evidence was also denied.