Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence of worsening or additional disability beyond that already compensated.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability was rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disc herniation to the RO via the AMC for VCAA notice and a VA orthopedic evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is not shown to be productive of limitation of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis in the thoracolumbar spine, incapacitating episodes, or additional neurological impairment (aside from radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, rated 10 percent).

The veteran was granted a 40 percent evaluation for his low back strain as of November 28, 2006, but an evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to that date was denied.

The Board found that the reductions in ratings for rhabdomyolosis, lumbar spine and other body parts were proper.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, nerve damage of the groin secondary to a hernia repair, and low back disability as secondary to a right knee contusion.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, as the Veteran's disability did not more nearly approximate severe limitation of motion or other criteria necessary to warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD was granted, and the claim to reopen service connection for a low back disorder was denied. The claim for service connection for hypertension was also denied.

The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine prior to February 4, 2008 and a 30 percent evaluation for calcaneal spurs of both feet. However, no increased ratings were granted for seborrheah dermatitis or bronchitis.

The appeal was denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and neuropathy of the hands and feet, finding no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for right knee patellofemoral disease and an initial compensable rating for left knee scar, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of the currently assigned levels.

The claim for service connection for a low back disability is reopened, but additional development is needed to determine the current nature and etiology of any such disability.

The Veteran's ankylosing spondylitis and related disabilities of the right ankle, bilateral hips, lumbar spine, and cervical spine were granted service connection as they were found to have been aggravated by his military service.

The appeal is remanded for the veteran to be scheduled for a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the Veteran's back disorder and hemorrhoids claims.

The claims for service connection for a low back disability and hearing loss are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent from April 28, 2000 through May 5, 2006.