Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that it was not shown to have been caused or aggravated by the veteran's service-connected right knee disorder.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of rectal polypectomy were rated at 10 percent prior to June 20, 2008, and increased to 60 percent effective from that date.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a recurrent low back strain with thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease prior to September 18, 2008, and an evaluation in excess of 40 percent on or after September 18, 2009.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, finding that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The veteran's PTSD was service-connected, and the rating for his lumbosacral strain remained at 40 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was denied because the evidence did not show that his current back condition is related to his military service.

The veteran's lower back disability is service-connected due to an in-service injury sustained during combat in Vietnam.

The Board finds that the evidence demonstrates an etiological relationship between the veteran's low back and left knee disabilities and service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain with lumbar spondylosis was denied a higher rating, but he was granted separate 20 percent ratings for lumbar radiculopathy to the right and left lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for right knee DJD and low back disability as they were not caused or aggravated by the veteran's left knee DJD, nor related to any incident of service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for defective vision, blood in urine, and hypertension were denied. The veteran was also denied increased ratings for bilateral varicose veins, low back strain, right fifth metacarpal fracture, left inguinal herniorraphy, and bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected thoracic/lumbar spondylosis is being remanded for additional development, including a neurological examination.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for increased evaluations of his service-connected conditions, and the Board dismissed the issues.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence regarding the veteran's service treatment records.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychological disorder, residuals of frostbite of the knees, and a low back disorder are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a low back disorder was reopened, and the claim is granted. The other issues are denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his thoracic and lumbar spine conditions are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of these service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for all the claimed conditions as they were not related to an in-service disease or injury.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain was remanded to obtain additional evidence and an updated VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were remanded to obtain additional evidence.