Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected. The Board finds credible evidence of in-service stressors and grants service connection for PTSD. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, low back disorder, left wrist strain, arthritis of the bilateral knees are not granted as there is no current diagnosis or medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to October 26, 2005 was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain, claimed as secondary to his service-connected leg length discrepancy, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder is not rated higher than 60 percent, and his left hip disorder does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a low back or bilateral hip disability that is causally related to service or her service-connected bilateral patellofemoral syndrome. The VA examiners concluded that her current low back and bilateral hip pain are more likely due to normal aging rather than her service-connected knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for dysthymia was granted, with a current evaluation of 70 percent. The lumbar spine disability claim remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder must be remanded due to inadequate examination and review of his claims file.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left arm disability, right hip and right lower extremity disability, lumbar spine disability, dizziness, and headaches have been denied as these conditions are not shown to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection, including examinations and medical opinions regarding his back disorder, right thumb injury, left hip disorder, left knee and leg disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression).

The Veteran's current cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and stenosis at C5-C6 and C6-C7, was incurred in active service. The Board finds that the Veteran's upper extremity radiculopathy is related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury, low back disability, and leg length discrepancy. Further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's cyst on the right wrist and low back disorder are found to be incurred in service, while his cysts on the feet were not. The appeal for cysts on the feet is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability determination and records from the Livermore VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip and lumbar spine disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU rating due to their combined effect on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his active military service and granted entitlement to service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for left knee, feet, and back disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 30, 2001 for service connection for Major Depression associated with Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine. The Veteran's claim was received on December 20, 1991 and entitlement arose on February 12, 2000.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and shoulder disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.