Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of low back pain or bilateral hip pain, and thus service connection is denied for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the initial compensable evaluation for hypertension was also denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for PTSD, right arm scar, skin rash, inguinal hernia, migraine headaches, residuals of a left knee injury, or low back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with DDD is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines. His left leg radiculopathy is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that an effective date of December 23, 1996 is assigned for the grant of service connection for chronic low back pain status post multiple laminectomy.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for a VA examination as to the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to obtain medical records and address the issue of a rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected low back disorder.

The Board has ordered a remand due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to her service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to September 10, 2008. From that date, the disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a TDIU, increased ratings for left knee disabilities, and service connection for lumbar myositis to the RO for further development. The Veteran is also being given another opportunity to respond to these matters.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted effective September 29, 1997. Service connection for a low back disorder was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar and cervical spine, finding that it is most likely caused by or a result of military service. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as there are no criteria met to grant such a rating. The claim for service connection for dental trauma has been denied due to lack of compensation eligibility.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right foot disability, and therefore, denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee and back disabilities, finding that they are related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issues of service connection and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected IVDS with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, effective September 1, 2005. The RO granted a higher initial rating for hypertension and denied extraschedular ratings for IVDS.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling examinations to assess his neck, back, hips, knees, shoulders, and ankles.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for residuals of low back injury with L-1 compression fracture and degenerative disc and joint disease is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, an initial compensable evaluation for lumbar degenerative disc disease L4-L5 with spondylolisthesis, and increased rating for residuals of dislocation, scar, and degenerative joint disease, right shoulder were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for his lumbar degenerative disc disease L4-L5 with spondylolisthesis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability. Claims for right ankle, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities are pending.