Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The veteran's application for Supplemental Service Disabled Veterans' (RH) Insurance was denied because his application was received after he reached the age of 65, which is a requirement under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable evaluation were denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lower back, right shoulder disorder, and a compensable evaluation for shell fragment wound scars of the back are all currently pending.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending requests for evidence. The appeal is currently on hold and will be reassigned to a different VLJ if necessary.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and is remanding the case back to the RO for additional consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability and service connection for a back disorder also claimed as fibromyalgia, finding that there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms following service or any relationship to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, but it is unable to decide on the merits of the claim due to insufficient information.

The Board has ordered further development due to incomplete records and an inadequate VA examination. The case is now remanded for additional development.

The veteran seeks service connection for back injuries and related symptoms. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The veteran's claim will be reviewed again after these steps are completed.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic dorsal lumbar strain is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and application of new regulations.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic acquired disorder of either knee or low back disorder in service and denied the claims for service connection.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now remanded to the RO for specific actions, including obtaining medical records from VA facilities and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including chronic low back pain and degenerative arthritis in the lumbar spine. The Board found that spina bifida occulta was not incurred or aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of aggravation of this congenital condition during active duty. Service connection for degenerative arthritis in the lumbar spine could not be granted as it did not become manifest to a compensable degree within one year after separation from service.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disk disease, which renders the veteran unable to work.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lower back disorder is related to her service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as a result of his own abilities and the lack of available jobs, despite his qualifications.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case will be returned to the RO for this purpose, and if any benefit sought remains denied, a supplemental statement of the case will be provided.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision of a November 20, 1997 decision denying entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease at L1 due to lack of specific allegations of error.

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

The Board finds that the veteran's arthritis is related to his active service, and grants service connection for arthritis of multiple joints.