Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting lumbar spine defects (hemivertebra at L5 and scoliosis) were not aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder and has granted a disability rating of 50 percent for residuals of viral meningitis with headaches.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected lower back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of diagnostic testing.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and personnel records from the Veteran's military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not manifest during service and is not related to his active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected residuals of fracture of the 5th lumbar vertebrae with degenerative changes of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder that is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disorder. Service connection was also granted for bilateral hearing loss, but it was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to July 14, 2006 was denied. From July 14, 2006, the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for his claimed low back, right knee, bilateral hip, and left ankle disorders. The evidence fails to show an in-service event or injury related to these conditions, nor is there any indication of continuity of symptomatology post-service. As such, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA pension examination to determine the nature, extent and severity of all disabilities found to be present. The RO should assign a rating for each of the Veteran's disabilities based on this information.

The Veteran's service-connected disability does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, although it precludes physical employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, myofascial pain syndrome, low back disorder, and bilateral vision disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis is granted. The claims for tinnitus and the other conditions are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran timely filed a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) with the June 21, 2006 rating decision which granted a temporary evaluation of 100 percent for convalescence from left knee surgery from May 9, 2006 to July 31, 2006 and otherwise continued an evaluation of 10 percent for a left knee disability. The Veteran's claim regarding the evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for bilateral spondylolysis L5 is still pending.

The Veteran's low back disability and arthritis of the knees are not service-connected, and his combined rating does not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and is dismissed.