Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran's low back disability has been granted a 20 percent rating for the orthopedic manifestations from December 9, 2005 to May 22, 2006. The claims for increased ratings have not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his in-service injury and granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine with soft-tissue damage.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's current low back disability and his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's radiculopathy has been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating during the appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that it is not related to active service and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated during active service. The preponderance of the competent and credible medical evidence clearly and unmistakably shows that the Veteran's low back disability existed prior to his military service and did not worsen as a result of his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a back disorder, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a right ankle disability during service and denied the claim for service connection. The hearing loss in the left ear was noted on multiple enlistment examinations, but there is no indication that it began during service. The low back injury occurred post-service and not during any ADT or IDT service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and increased evaluation of his back disability and right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent effective October 16, 2004. This rating reflects a severe intervertebral disc syndrome with recurring attacks and intermittent relief.

The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease (coronary artery disease) is presumed to have been incurred during active military service due to herbicide exposure. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of her entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded to obtain additional medical records from his treatment in Chicago and Maywood, Illinois.

The Veteran's low back disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current condition.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, but has remanded these claims to further develop evidence. The claim for service connection for cardiovascular disorders remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his right knee disability claim and denied all other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was withdrawn. The bilateral pes planus issue resulted in a finding of entitlement to a 30 percent evaluation, but not higher. The effective date for service connection of the left ankle disability was determined to be October 8, 1996.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA compensation examinations to determine if the Veteran has current disabilities related to his period of active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and right hip conditions are not secondary to his service-connected right knee condition, and thus denied these claims. The issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability was granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the period prior to December 18, 2009.