Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to changes in rating criteria and VCAA requirements, and the need for further examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The case is pending further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his medical records and examination reports.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his lumbar spine disability and an SOC on the right knee disability.

The Board denied the appellant's application to reopen his claim for service connection of a low back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability related to the appellant's active service, including for his claimed back disorder (including arthritis), kidney disorder, and prostate disorder. The claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral knee and back disorders were not incurred in service or due to his service-connected left fibula fracture. The decision denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder and left knee disorder were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The evidence does not show a current disability related to service, with the exception of dorsal kyphosis noted at entrance which is considered part of the normal range of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar strain with associated myofascial pain syndrome and degenerative disc disease warrants a 60 percent disability rating, effective from when his claim was filed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability. However, the veteran's TDIU claim is granted based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's low back disability is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and to comply with provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a low back injury and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for depression, increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and heart murmur, and a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hip condition and multilevel degenerative joint disease of the lumbar and thoracic spine, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and an increased rating for PTSD. The effective date of the grant of a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD was not established as it is moot due to the grant of a schedular evaluation in January 2002.

The Board found that the veteran's back disability, neck disability, and left knee disability were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence showed no connection between these disabilities and his military service.