Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board has decided not to terminate the appeal for service connection of back injuries, but has remanded the case for further development and review.

The RO has granted service connection for arthritis of the left knee, left ankle, and low back but did not assign any increased ratings. The case is being remanded to schedule a personal hearing before a member of the Board.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now remanded for the specified development.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to failure to report for VA examinations and other procedural issues.

The veteran seeks an increased evaluation for his service-connected lumbar disc disease. The Board notes that the case must be remanded due to failure to provide proper VCAA notice and because the revised schedular criteria for evaluating intervertebral disc syndrome have not been considered.

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 an increased rating for service-connected chronic sacroiliitis and degenerative disc changes at L-4 to L-5, L-5 to S-1, and denied the claim for service connection for a chronic gynecological disability.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for VA treatment records and a medical examination. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence of record.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar spine issues and headaches. The case is being remanded to allow for additional evidence collection and a physical examination.

The Board found no legal basis for service connection of an undiagnosed illness due to lack of Southwest Asia service. The veteran's low back and neck disorders are not shown to be related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The appeal is currently pending due to ongoing development.

The Board has determined that the appellant's low back disorder is related to service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include chronic low back strain with radiculitis and residuals of head injury. The combined rating is sufficient to meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for lumbosacral strain, asthma, and a left foot disorder. The case is now remanded for additional examinations and analysis.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disorder, identified as degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, had its onset during active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical myositis, thoracic myositis, and lumbar myositis as secondary to his service-connected residuals of right knee patellar fracture.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for sinusitis. The veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for sinusitis.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain and right ankle disability have been granted initial evaluations of 20% and 10%, respectively, effective October 1, 1994.