Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined rating of 70% and his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and low back disorder. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the appellant's testimony regarding the severity of his service-connected cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as a claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD associated with active service and therefore, service connection for PTSD is not established.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a back disability and prostate disability were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his previously denied prostate disability claim.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for service connection and increased ratings were not substantiated by the provided evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral strain and bilateral hearing loss, as well as an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Veteran's current low back disability is presumed to be related to his military service due to the presence of degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to July 29, 2008 and denied an evaluation in excess of 40 percent from that date forward. The left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's case is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Board hearing. The RO will contact the Veteran and give him the option of attending a Board hearing at either the St. Petersburg RO or an alternative location.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip degenerative joint disease is not related to service, and his lumbar spine condition was not caused by or aggravated by his right hip condition. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Veteran seeks an increased disability rating for his service-connected low back strain, which is currently rated at 20 percent. The case has been remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and conduct a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee, diffuse arthritis of the bilateral feet, and diffuse ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine with sclerosis of both sacroiliac joints.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for his claimed conditions are denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between any current disability and service.

The Veteran's left hand condition, which includes amputations of multiple fingers and degenerative joint disease, warrants a 60 percent evaluation under the VA rating schedule. The claim for service connection for other conditions remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hip and lumbar spine disabilities did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to his military service, leading to a denial of service connection for these conditions.

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