Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the veteran's service-connected low back pain with history of strain and psychogenic pain disorder, considering functional loss due to pain and other relevant factors.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the cervical spine and found that a higher rating is warranted for lumbosacral disc disease with sciatica. The effective date remains to be determined.

The Board has denied the claim as the service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to the veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder and determined that it is well grounded. The case will be remanded for further development.

The veteran has withdrawn their appeal, citing no specific issues or conditions for further consideration.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for a full and complete compensation and pension examination that discusses the etiology of the veteran's back disorder.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her lumbosacral strain and gastroenteritis. Service connection claims are also pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, low back disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder. The decision is final as it was previously denied in November 1990.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and an undiagnosed illness manifested by a skin condition, finding the claims not well-grounded.

The veteran's initial evaluations for his low back disorder and right knee disorders have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's motion for revision of a decision was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for low back and right knee disabilities, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The decision is final as it was a prior Board decision.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's low back pain complaints treated after service to any specific disease process or injury in service, and thus denied his claim of service connection for a low back disorder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the failure of the RO to notify the appellant about the non-receipt of requested medical records.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee disorder as secondary to left knee disorder, and back disorder as secondary to left knee disorder are denied. The claim for increased evaluation of the left knee is granted.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right shoulder disorder and granted it. The claim of service connection for a back disorder is also granted. Special monthly compensation based on regular need for aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate remains denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for retropatellar arthralgia of the right knee, lumbosacral strain, and major depression.

The VA determined that the veteran's back condition, while painful and causing some limitations, does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent due to lack of evidence supporting additional disability beyond what is already accounted for by the current 20 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for DJD of the lumbar spine and loss of bladder control as secondary to the service-connected back disorder. The veteran's tinnitus was not addressed in this decision, but is related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia is well grounded. However, the claims for service connection for back, left hand and eye disabilities are not well grounded and are denied.