Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for post-traumatic neurosis/conversion hysteria and lumbosacral strain. The case is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's left ear otitis media was incurred in service and is now granted. The back disorder, however, did not begin in service or due to a service-connected disability and is therefore not service connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a low back injury.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's scoliosis of the thoracolumbosacral spine, residuals of removal of a uterine tumor, and spinal meningitis are all service-connected. However, the cardiac disorder manifested by palpitations is not considered service-connected.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 40 percent evaluation for a low back disability, finding that the earliest date on which it can be factually ascertained that the veteran experienced an increase in his service-connected low back disability to support a 40 percent evaluation is December 2, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain disability, finding that the current level of disability did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The case is being remanded for additional development due to new rating criteria consideration and the need for any relevant outstanding evidence submission.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding it proximately due to or the result of a service-connected low back disability. The veteran's claims for increased rating and total rating based on individual unemployability are remanded.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and consideration of the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, including the recently submitted medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and a need for an orthopedic examination.

The VA has determined that the veteran's low back pain with sciatica does not warrant a higher initial evaluation, as it only manifests as characteristic pain on motion without evidence of current intervertebral disc disease.

The VA determined that the veteran's current low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's disability of the lumbar spine, including intervertebral disc syndrome and sciatic nerve impairment, warrants a maximum schedular rating of 60 percent.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disorder, which is manifested by pain and moderate limitation of motion, does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

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 the veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, cervical discogenic disease, and left gluteal myositis. The evidence did not support these claims.