Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2001

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support such a claim. The decision was based on the lack of chronic disability during or immediately after service and the absence of post-service medical records linking the current condition to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, which was previously denied in September 1977. The reopening of this claim allows for further consideration on its merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis of the lumbar spine with pelvic tilt, arthritis of multiple joints, and bronchial asthma due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted an initial 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected disability of the lumbar segment of the spine, effective from December 1998.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain, with bilateral radiculopathy, muscle spasms, and intermittent paresthesias is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and for reopening his claim of entitlement to service connection for variously diagnosed eye disorders. The RO affirmed previous denials of these claims.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability, status post right knee meniscus tear, and residuals of a bone chip in the right hip. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, skin disorder (poison ivy dermatitis), dental trauma, respiratory disorders, and other conditions.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings and extraschedular evaluations due to incomplete development of evidence, particularly regarding employment impact and neurological issues.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, as well as service connection for nicotine dependence. The low back disorder and arthritis of the left wrist and knee are found to be related to service. However, no new or material evidence was presented to reopen the previously denied claims for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a back disorder and a left shoulder disorder, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The effective date of these determinations is not specified.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and increased ratings for her knee disabilities. The issues were remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct further examinations, and ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to determine if additional disabilities, including diplopia and lower extremity function impairment, resulted from VA treatment for a herniated nucleus pulposus in July and August 1990.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder clearly and unmistakably preexisted service, was not aggravated by service, and granted service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of development and potential issues with service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected spinal and conversion disorders did not cause or contribute to his death from acute myocardial infarction due to arteriosclerotic heart disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or showing they prevented the veteran from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain, duodenal ulcer, and left knee disability. The maximum schedular evaluation of 40 percent was granted for lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied reopening the claim for direct service connection for a back disability and denied secondary service connection and individual unemployability due to a back disability. The evidence received did not provide new or material information.