Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder is not related to his service-connected right knee disorder and denied entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder as secondary to the service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the last supplemental statement of the case, and the RO is instructed to review this expanded record and determine if service connection for right hip disability and lumbar spine disability should be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disorder began during his active duty service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral inguinal herniae, acne cysts, and back disorder. The Board found no medical opinion supporting a direct relationship between these conditions and his service-connected left foot disability.

The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine at L4-5 and L5-S1 is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current residuals of a low back injury are related to his active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and for an increased rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to procedural issues and additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected low back disability, finding that as of August 22, 2001, he was entitled to a 40 percent disability rating. Prior to this date, the disability had been rated at 20 percent.

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

The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development due to a recent court decision invalidating certain procedures. The veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder will be reconsidered.

The veteran's service-connected myositis of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 40 percent, and his varicose veins are currently rated at 10 percent. The appeal for increased ratings has been granted.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for lumbar disc disease, status-post L4-L5, L5-S1 laminectomy. The appeal is granted in this regard.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and right fifth finger disorder are all rated as noncompensable. The veteran is granted a compensable rating for his right hand fifth digit injury.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and post-traumatic headaches, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident during service.

The Board granted service connection for a lower back disability and remanded the issues of increased PTSD evaluation, temporary total ratings based on treatment received, and TDIU effective date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a post-operative bilateral testicular disorder, chronic low back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision also determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for a post-operative bilateral testicular disorder.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for right knee and low back disabilities, finding that these conditions are proximately due to her service-connected left knee disability.