Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence supports a nexus between the current condition and active duty service.

The Board found that the reduction in the left knee disability rating from 30% to 20% was proper, and denied a higher initial rating for lumbar myositis while granting a separate 10% rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The veteran was granted a 60 percent evaluation for his low back disorder with degenerative disc disease, effective from February 2004, based on new and material evidence. An earlier effective date of March 18, 1994, was also assigned.

The veteran's claims to reopen for service connection for coronary artery disease, chronic hypertension, a bilateral foot disorder, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating, while his thoracic spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities were each granted 10 percent ratings. Service connection for lumbar spine and joint pains was denied.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition, low back condition, and right leg condition to the RO/AMC for further development.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new examination to evaluate the veteran's cervical spine and low back disorders.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected arthritis, lumbar spine, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities.

The appeal for an increased rating for the service-connected conversion disorder was denied as the condition did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 50 percent.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine and low back disabilities, as well as increased ratings for right distal radius status post osteotomy and right tibial spine fracture.

The Board remands the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was determined to be service-connected, while tinnitus and a back disorder were not. The decision granted service connection for the hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for numbness of the bilateral upper extremities, as there was no competent medical evidence of a disorder manifested by numbness of the bilateral upper extremities.

The veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected back disability.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a cervical spine disorder, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine arthritis with spinal stenosis and nerve involvement of the right lower extremity were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's lumbar spine strain is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent based on the current evidence.