Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinea pedis and cruris, as well as lumbosacral strain, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA disability rating schedule.

The Board found that there was no pending claim for a TDIU prior to April 13, 2000 and denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date.

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

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his right knee disability does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The Board also found no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient competent evidence of record regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran is required to provide a VA examination to determine if his current lumbar spine disorder is related to service, including an injury sustained in service.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder (tendinitis) is service-connected, with the Board finding that his current diagnosis of tendinitis originated during military service.,Service connection for a low back disorder was not established. The Board found no evidence linking the current degenerative changes in the lumbar spine to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected spine disabilities.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist disability, right hip disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for depression was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. His claim of entitlement to service connection for left hip disability was reopened based on new evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, bilateral foot disability, and various knee disabilities were denied. The Veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine and right and left knees are rated as 10% since August 17, 2007 and October 25, 2005 respectively. The Veteran's right leg and left leg disabilities do not meet criteria for a compensable initial disability rating.

The Veteran seeks increased evaluations for his service-connected left shoulder disability and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct VA examinations, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 6, 2007, and increased to 20 percent thereafter. His migraine headaches were rated noncompensable until December 6, 2007, when he received a 30 percent rating. The bilateral pes planus with calcaneal osteophytes of the left foot was also rated at 10 percent from December 6, 2007. There is no compensable rating assigned for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spondylosis with DDD and DJD, as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The claim for service connection for Achilles tendonitis with calcaneal spur of the left foot was deferred pending completion of further development. The TDIU claim is also deferred.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with left arm radiculopathy was reopened and granted. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, right leg radiculopathy, and incontinence disabilities are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.