Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is found to be related to his military service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her low back disability.

The Veteran's low back disorder, characterized by severe limitation of lumbar motion and pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome, warrants a disability rating of 60 percent since the effective date of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for left rib segmental joint dysfunction and back disorder is granted, as her symptoms have been present since active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current back or bilateral knee disability, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.,For the bilateral leg disorder issue, there is no competent medical evidence linking any current disability to service.

The Veteran seeks retroactive payment of vocational rehabilitation benefits due to the need for additional training. The case is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated neuropathies were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.,A temporary 100 percent rating was granted, but the Veteran's overall combined rating remained at 40 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a left knee disability. The claim for service connection for psuedofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is remanded to obtain a medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if any current back disability is related to service-connected conditions, specifically the appellant's gunshot wound residuals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease, L4-5, L5-S1 was denied. The claim for service connection for idiopathic thrombocarpin purpura with systemic lupus erythermatosus (claimed as thrombocarpin) was also denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after discharge.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease with chronic low back pain. The claim will now be addressed on its merits.

The Veteran withdrew from appeal the claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and for a disability of the lumbar spine, as well as the claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability and associated sciatic nerve symptoms was denied. The RO found that the Veteran's condition did not warrant a higher than 40 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for transitional lumbosacral vertebra fused with sacrum; compression fracture, L3, L4, and L5 due to new evidence showing aggravation by military service. The Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for further VA examination and development.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder was granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent effective March 24, 2009. The other disabilities were previously granted and remain at their current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition is currently rated at 40 percent, effective February 6, 2006. The claim for a higher initial rating and earlier effective date has been granted.