Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, skin disorders, an undiagnosed illness, gout, muscle tension headaches, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus. The reasons were that these conditions are known diseases or diagnostic entities and not due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain warrants a 20 percent evaluation, as her symptoms are primarily manifested by nonservice-connected disc disease and not service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for chronic sinusitis, back disorder, recurrent abdominal pain, and sleep apnea. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, finding that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects his disability.

The case is being remanded for additional development to ensure all relevant medical records are obtained and reviewed, including VA and non-VA health care providers' records. The veteran will also be scheduled for a genitourinary examination.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and thoracic spine is currently rated at 40 percent from July 11, 1996 to October 7, 1996, increased to 60 percent effective August 21, 1998.,The veteran's service-connected right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy and left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy are both rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's PTSD and low back disorder are both service-connected, with the PTSD being granted initially and the low back disorder receiving a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection, finding no current disabilities or evidence of in-service injuries that would support these claims.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not presented. The claims for service connection for right hip disorders were also denied.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, and the Board has dismissed the case without prejudice.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection due to lack of evidence linking his current back condition to an inservice injury, and found that the disability is more likely related to aging and daily activities.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the veteran's current condition is not related to his active service or any service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic low back strain was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to consider the new criteria for evaluating intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board found that the veteran's back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim. The psychiatric disability claim is pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine injury residuals, and TDIU due to his service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain and denied service connection for sciatica, herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine, and thoracic spine disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective from March 25, 1996.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not related to military service or could be attributed to other causes.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of records.