Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and left ear hearing loss were denied by the Board, as both conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability (previously adjudicated as lumbar strain) and granted service connection based on evidence showing a relationship between his in-service injury and current degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess her right hip disorder and low back pain. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder did not have its onset in service and was not aggravated by active military service. The claim for arthritis is presumed to be related to service, but no current disability has been established.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he is currently employed and his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, pes planus of the feet, and low back disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hallux valgus of the right and left feet.

The Veteran's low back strain has been rated at 20 percent since June 7, 2010. The VA examiner found that the condition resulted in pain and limited range of motion but no additional functional impairment during flare-ups.

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

The Board denied the claims for a compensable rating for sprain of the lumbar spine and a higher rating for conversion reaction, both for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Board finds that the Veteran's upper back disability is causally related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional private treatment records from Monmouth Medical Center Clinic.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD and DDD of the lumbar spine were granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent effective March 26, 2008. The radiculopathy in both lower extremities was also granted a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine at C5-C7, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and there are no issues related to service connection or exposure basis. The current rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for a cervical spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding the right total knee replacement. The claims for increased ratings of his right wrist and low back disabilities were not granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee disorder and back disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of pneumonia, also claimed as shortness of breath, was previously denied in July 1990 and reopened by new evidence submitted since then. The low back disorder claim has been reopened but the service connection is not granted.,The low back disorder claim has been reopened with new evidence showing degenerative disc disease and facet joint disease. However, the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to active service or any incident therein.,The left ankle strain claim was previously denied in March 1977 and reopened by new evidence submitted since then. The evidence does not show a connection between the condition and active service.,Hypertension, enlarged heart, kidney damage, right shoulder disorder, and right leg disorder claims have all been reopened with new evidence but do not establish a connection to active service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's claim for travel pay to obtain a prosthetic leg and shower leg from the Institute for Advancement in Prosthetics (IAP) in Lansing, Michigan was granted as it is deemed necessary due to his service-connected PTSD.