Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance with special adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only was denied due to the need for further medical evidence regarding loss of use of his feet.

The veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent effective September 26, 2003.

The case is being remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of the veteran's service-connected low back disability, including any associated neurological impairment.

The veteran's residuals of an injury to the right ring finger were granted service connection, while a low back disorder and chronic vomiting were denied.

The veteran's degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent, but he was granted a separate 10 percent rating for incomplete paralysis of peroneal nerve of the left lower leg.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal dysmotility with dysphagia and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine are being remanded for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the orthopedic manifestations of the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder and granted a separate 10 percent rating for neurological manifestations of the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder manifested by sensory tendon, reflex and mild motor function loss, left lower extremity prior to March 14, 2005.

The veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer, PTSD, and a back disorder (spinal stenosis) were denied as there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, degenerative disc disease of the spine, and diabetes mellitus type 2 were denied due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for a low back strain for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an additional VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis in the low back and a disorder of the right hand, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for the low back condition, and there was no evidence of a current disability or link to service for the right hand.

The Board remands the issue of service connection for residuals of a low back injury to ensure that VA obtains a medical examination and opinion addressing whether the veteran's low back disability is related to his military service.

The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to be conducted by a physician or a physician's assistant, and readjudication of the claim.

The veteran's degenerative changes of the cervical spine are service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left knee, right hip, left hip, and lumbar spine disabilities as secondary to the veteran's service-connected right ankle trauma.

The veteran's lumbar spine disorder involving a fracture of the first lumbar vertebra and narrowing of disc L5-S1 was incurred during service, and he is granted a 10 percent rating for headaches associated with his service-connected cervical spine traumatic arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding no credible evidence linking the condition to the appellant's period of ACDUTRA.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and residuals of a fistula removal, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.