Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, conducting new VA examinations, and evaluating the veteran's disability under both old and new rating criteria.

The veteran's multiple conditions, including anxiety disorder and arthritis, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder. The case is being remanded due to potential VCAA compliance issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for improved pension benefits for the period October 1, 1996, through July 31, 1997 due to his annual income exceeding the maximum pension rate.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected ankylosing spondylitis and lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes do not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder with sciatic nerve involvement is related to his inservice injury and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder due to lack of evidence of current or chronic disability, and no link between military service and the condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and L5-S1, is related to his service injury in 1966. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, low back, and cervical spine disabilities. Service connection was denied for sinusitis, skin disability (presumed fungal infection), right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities of a left knee, degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, and traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine were denied by the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability, chronic lumbosacral strain, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board. The VA found no evidence of chronic conditions related to his military service.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the service-connected low back disability and a current rating of 40 percent, effective from January 28, 2003. The veteran's condition is characterized by moderate limitation of motion in his low back.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reconsider the claim for service connection for PTSD. The decision on whether this evidence is sufficient to reopen the claim will determine if service connection can be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar degenerative joint disease, and thoracic degenerative joint disease were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is service-connected and has granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD, finding it to be totally incapacitating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of new and material evidence. The veteran is required to schedule a videoconference hearing before a member of the Board.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to additional development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development needed, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.