Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back condition did not have its onset during service and is not related to a service-connected right knee disability. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not etiologically related to service and denied his claim.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated at 20 percent each, with no higher ratings granted. The Board has found that the current ratings are appropriate based on the objective findings from VA examinations.

The Veteran's claimed bilateral ankle, shin, knee, hip, low back, and hemorrhoid disorders are not service-connected as they were not present in service or caused by his service-connected pes planus valgus with calcaneal fat pad syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is proximately due to his service-connected lumbosacral HNP, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right patellar tendonitis and lumbosacral strain have been rated as noncompensable due to the lack of compensable limitation of motion. The appeal is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records from 1993 and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for updated medical records and a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's low back disability, including any associated neurological abnormalities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, and back injury was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left wrist disability related to his active service.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 20 percent since October 5, 2005. The rating is based on the orthopedic manifestations of his condition, with no neurological manifestations in the lower extremities warranting a separate rating.

The Veteran's bilateral varicose veins were incurred in active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The other issues are addressed but not resolved.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current neck and back disabilities, as well as a VA examination to ascertain the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected dermatitis of the hands.

The Board has denied the appellant's request to reopen his claim of service connection for low back disability, finding that new and material evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability. The claims for higher initial ratings for left tibia and right metatarsal fracture residuals are remanded to have the Veteran undergo another VA compensation examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claim for a psychiatric disorder. The cervical spine strain claim was also denied as there is no medical opinion linking it to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The case is REMANDED for issuance of a SOC regarding an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and a neck disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The claim for service connection for a neck disorder is remanded due to the need for an examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and scoliosis with lumbago were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical examinations.