Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic low back disability and chronic skin rashes, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that any current low back disability is not linked to service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 50 percent, effective May 12, 2011. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the General Rating Formula or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder/panic attacks, and a thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for asthma and otitis media were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected gunshot wound to the left tibia, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were addressed in the December 2009 Board decision, with some issues remanded to the RO/AMC. The initial compensable rating for a right knee surgical scar residual has been granted, and an increased rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease was assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back disability is related to his in-service injury, and service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of dry eyes, a chronic disability manifested by excessive ear wax, gastritis, or a low back disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and SSA records. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The previous denial was based on lack of probative evidence linking the condition to service, and the new evidence does not provide such evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a new VA examination. The issues of service connection for PTSD, hypertension, and lumbar spine disorder are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to initial compensable disability ratings for right and left upper extremity neuropathy, as well as entitlement to service connection for low back arthralgia are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The right knee and left knee disabilities were granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to noise during active duty in Southwest Asia. Service connection was not established for the thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee conditions. The evidence received since the June 2002 rating decision is new and material; however, it does not establish a nexus between the claimed disabilities and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability and TDIU as there is no direct evidence linking his current condition to active duty service or a service-connected disease/injury. The Veteran's combined evaluation of service-connected disabilities does not meet the percentage criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar strain has been rated at 20 percent since the initial grant of service connection, reflecting limitation of motion with forward flexion to greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and status post fracture of the L-3 with vertebral body deformity is being remanded due to additional evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have been aggravated by service, and he is now entitled to a 30% evaluation for his cold injury residuals of the feet. Service connection has not been established for cervical or lumbar spine disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck disability, degenerative joint disease and degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine, and headaches were not incurred in or aggravated during service and are not related to his service-connected reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for low back strain with degenerative disc disease, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran was not granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist.