Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left hip, finding no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his psoriatic arthritis and the need for further evaluation of his low back and left knee disabilities. The RO must obtain recent VA medical records, conduct a VA examination, and then review the claims file again.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent prior to July 30, 1999. His lumbosacral strain remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating. The appeals for service connection of low back disability and sinusitis were dismissed as untimely filed, and the appeal for higher evaluation for neck disability was also dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural issues.

The Board finds that the appellant's currently diagnosed degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is likely attributable to his period of military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and special monthly pension. The case is dismissed without prejudice.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a low back injury was denied due to his failure to report for a necessary VA examination without good cause.

The veteran's spondylosis of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 40 percent, effective January 1, 2003. The initial rating for type II diabetes mellitus has been granted and assigned a 20 percent rating, effective July 5, 2001. Separate ratings have also been granted for various disabilities associated with the veteran's diabetes mellitus.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and evidence. The case is now remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's claims for service connection for nonspecific polyneuropathy (claimed as a bilateral foot disability and bilateral lower extremity disability) and low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment, and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, including congenital blocked vertebra at C2-3. Additional evidence is needed to determine if there is a relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's lumbosacral spine disability and a separate rating for his right knee scars, finding that neither warranted a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, and denied his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is it related to a service-connected disability. The preponderance of the evidence does not support the claim.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, and his low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, residuals of a right ankle sprain, hemorrhoids, and a disability manifested by fluid/mucus discharge from the rectum were denied.