Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than August 30, 1996 for the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial. However, the claim remains denied as there is no medical evidence showing that the current low back disorder is related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected and denied his claim.

The Board denied service connection for low back pain as secondary to the service-connected disability of the sural nerve distribution of the left foot due to lack of a diagnosed condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for recurrent lumbosacral strain has been received, and thus the veteran's claim is reopened.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and hypertension have been reopened.,Service connection has been granted for the veteran's low back disability, with evidence showing that his current condition is related to injuries sustained during active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, which is productive of severe limitation of motion of the lumbosacral spine, warrants a 40 percent evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disorder, currently rated at 20 percent. The RO has requested additional medical records and employment documentation to support the claim.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected traumatic deformity of the lumbar spine, dorsal spine, and sciatic neuritis, right, mild.

The Board has determined that the veteran's laceration scar above the left eye and traumatic arthritis of the low back are service-connected.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the initial evaluation for hearing loss of the left ear as the appellant withdrew this claim. The case is remanded to address the increased rating for lumbar strain.

The veteran claims his current low back disability is related to a muscle strain he sustained during service. The RO has held that the claim was not well grounded, and now requires additional evidence and development.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if a noncompensable rating for the veteran's back disorder, which was aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability, is appropriate. The RO must obtain all available medical records and schedule the veteran for an orthopedic examination to assess the current degree of disability over and above pre-existing conditions.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for further development due to a change in the law regarding veterans' claims assistance. The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being reviewed, and additional evidence may be needed from health care providers.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities, but denied claims for increased evaluations. The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective November 1, 1989. His left shoulder disability was initially rated at 20 percent from that date until December 1, 1997, when it was upgraded to a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for aggravation of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to service-connected disabilities of the feet. The case is now remanded for further action, including a VA medical examination and readjudication.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was granted. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bipolar disorder was also granted, with a 30 percent evaluation effective from February 1, 1993. Other claims were continued at their prior evaluations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the validity of the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and diabetes mellitus. The RO must attempt to obtain relevant medical records, including those from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, and schedule the veteran for appropriate examinations to assess his current conditions.

The veteran is seeking a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The RO should obtain additional medical records, verify the veteran's periods of military service, and schedule examinations to determine the effects of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and the need for further development, including obtaining service medical records from National Guard units, private medical records, and SSA disability benefits information.