Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is related to her active service, granting her claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine.

The RO denied service connection for various conditions, including a low back disability, gastrointestinal disability, laceration residuals, skin disorder of the feet, and lipomas. The veteran requested a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is service-connected and was incurred during his active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability.

The appellant's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private medical records and VA outpatient treatment records. The RO will schedule the appellant for an examination to determine the extent of her service-connected right ankle and low back disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's disability of the spine, including arthritis of the lumbar and thoracic spines, and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for increased rating of residuals of a left leg wound and compensable evaluation for scars were also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection of a back disorder. The appellant's pre-existing back disorder was aggravated by his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The veteran's low back disorder was granted a 20 percent evaluation effective February 13, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee arthritis is a result of post-traumatic and degenerative changes sustained during service, granting service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for sinusitis, hearing loss, and right thumb disability. The Board dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding increased ratings for low back strain due to lack of a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back weakness warrants a 40% evaluation, which is the highest available under Diagnostic Code 5295.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, heart murmur, neck disorder, arthritis, and right knee disorder. The appeals were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

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

The Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent for PTSD and denied service connection for the low back condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, frostbite of hands, left thigh pain, and bilateral foot condition. The evidence submitted since the September 1995 decision was not considered sufficient to reopen any of these claims.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and did not address the claims regarding bilateral ankle and knee disorders due to lack of evidence related to these issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder and dental trauma to four upper teeth are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip disorder and did not find new and material evidence to reopen the claim of degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacrum.