Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

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

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 10 percent. The RO has granted these ratings effective January 6, 2004.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and L5 radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been rated at 10, 20, and 40 percent respectively. The intermittent vertigo has not met criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, verifying National Guard service periods, and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the appellant's low back disability or skin condition are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain was denied as no increase in disability had occurred within the year prior to his February 26, 2007 claim.

The Board found no credible evidence of a continuity of symptoms linking the Veteran's current low back disability to his service, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for myositis of the lumbar region, effective from the date of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of VA treatment records from the Albuquerque VAMC.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 40 percent for his service-connected low back disability, including myofascial syndrome, which includes symptoms such as widespread musculoskeletal pain and weakness that are refractory to treatment.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, but the low back disorder and residuals of a cerebral concussion were not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's upper back and right shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received and an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during or after his military service and insufficient credible evidence linking any current low back disorder to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the increased rating for his lumbar spine DDD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the grant of service connection for tinnitus with a 10% evaluation effective January 13, 2006. The remaining conditions are not considered to be related to active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was increased to a 40 percent rating effective April 14, 2009. His right knee strain and PFB were also increased in ratings, but his conjunctivitis of the eyes did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.