Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, as well as other issues.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, resulting in a denial of the reopening request.

The Board found no etiological relationship between the veteran's cervical spine disorder and her service-connected low back disorder. The low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied due to her failure to appear for VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including re-evaluating the veteran's service-connected left knee disability and considering whether the manifestations of this disability warrant evaluation under separate diagnostic codes. The current claim for service connection for a back disability as incurred during active military service is also being considered.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for obtaining Social Security Administration records related to the veteran's disability benefits, as these records may contain relevant medical information.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for secondary service connection for a low back disability. However, the RO needs to make a determination on this issue following the reopening of the claim.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the Halifax Medical Center on July 24, 2000 was denied because his treatment was non-emergent. The Board has ordered additional development due to new evidence received after the initial decision.

The Board has determined that the appellant's low back disorder is related to his active duty for training, and service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine if the veteran's current disabilities are related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's current left ankle complaints are not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided in favor of the veteran, granting service connection for a back disorder. The decision is based on evidence that supports a direct link between the current condition and the veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical paravertebral fibromyositis do not warrant increased ratings as they currently result in moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for chronic lumbosacral strain and found service connection for thoracic spine disorder. Service connection for cervical spine disorder was denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to changes in VA regulations and the need for further medical examination.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran's current back disorder was incurred or aggravated during his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding no new evidence to support these claims. The veteran's claim was not reopened.

The RO denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected low back disorder, stating that there was no indication of a relationship between the current lumbar spine condition and the service-connected acute sacroiliac sprain condition.

The Board is remanding the issue of entitlement to an increased evaluation for PTSD to the RO, while maintaining the current 30 percent rating for cervical spine disability.