Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has vacated a previous decision denying an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to September 23, 2002.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for back disability will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is related to an injury he sustained during his military service in 1978, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding that it was incurred during military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is related to symptoms shown during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the postoperative residuals of bilateral total knee replacements as secondary to the service-connected pes planus. The issue regarding degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with osteoarthritis is also granted, and an increased rating for pes planus remains pending.

The Board has determined that the claimed conditions are not service-connected.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional medical evidence. The case will be reconsidered by VBA.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her service-connected low back pain and degenerative disc disease, finding that she did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA disability rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability was not incurred or aggravated during his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service connection claim for a back disorder is granted, and his bilateral hearing loss disability remains at noncompensable level.

The veteran was not rated as totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities at the time of his death, and therefore is not eligible for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination, and further development is required.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding no evidence of such condition during or immediately after service and concluding that any current disability is not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and seeking a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's low back disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected back disability, but granted a 60 percent evaluation effective March 4, 1999 (later revised as March 2, 1998). The case is now before the RO to determine appropriate effective dates.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied as there is no evidence linking his current heart disorder, low back disorder, or varicose veins to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and the need for additional evidence. The case is now remanded back to the RO for examination and review.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, eye problems, back issues, knee disabilities, hypertension, and a cerebrovascular accident. The decision also addressed bilateral pes planus and seizure disorder.