Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current cervical or lumbar disc disease, and therefore service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a skin disorder due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple increased evaluations for his low back disability, with the effective dates of these increases being disputed. The case is remanded to consider entitlement to an extraschedular rating prior to April 2, 1998.

The VA determined that the veteran's low back strain does not warrant an evaluation greater than 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability is not related to service and denied his claim. The rating for chondromalacia of the right patella was also denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for residuals of a right ankle injury, but denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and lumbar spine as there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder. The case will now proceed on this reopened issue.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the veteran's service and denied all claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of degenerative disease of the lumbar spine and that his service-connected residuals of chronic low back strain with spondylolysis are manifested by characteristic pain on motion, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to changes in the law brought about by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA), and because all evidence needed to consider the claim has not yet been obtained.

The Board granted the veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for hearing loss, low back disability, otitis externa, pharyngitis, and residuals of a closed head injury.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder, but denied reopening of the claim for service connection for a back disability.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss as it is presumed incurred due to military service. The psychiatric disorders are secondary to the service-connected hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's application for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his failure to appear at a scheduled VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for VCAA notification and a Board hearing. The issues of rating excessively for low back strain and entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine originated in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed low back, right shoulder, esophagitis, and bilateral foot disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and denied an increased rating for dysthymic disorder.

The veteran's request for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for an additional videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for service connection of a back disorder, concluding that there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to an injury sustained during Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) in 1972.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lower abdominal pain, low back pain, chest pain and indigestion, as well as his claim for a higher initial evaluation for plantar fasciitis. The veteran was granted service connection for plantar fasciitis but the assigned initial 10 percent rating is maintained.