Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2003

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (claimed as back disability) and granted it, finding that new evidence received since the February 1983 rating decision is sufficient to reopen the claim. The Board also found that the current lower back disability is not related to active duty service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The VA determined that the current evidence did not support an increase in evaluation or a finding of service connection.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal as to his claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine due to a previous grant of service connection in 1983. The RO is referred to consider his increased rating claim for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine.

The veteran's claims for service connection are denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine headaches were aggravated by service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.,Regarding the back disorder claim, new evidence was presented since the August 1986 rating decision, which found no service connection due to a non-service-connected transitional anomaly. The claim is reopened.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been presented. The issue is now on remand to determine if service connection can be granted.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current low back disorder and his service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back strain, finding that the condition is related to active service and not due to any other factors.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's chronic low back disorder, including L5-S1 spondylolysis with spondylolisthesis. The case is being sent for additional medical examination and review.

The veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for his service-connected lumbar paravertebral myositis with degenerative joint disease. The RO has previously assigned a 40 percent disability rating, but the veteran disagrees and wishes to have this decision reviewed under the revised criteria effective September 26, 2003.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and numbness of legs. The RO is directed to schedule VA examinations to determine the current nature and etiology of these conditions, and to obtain any relevant medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 1, 2000 for a 60% evaluation for Post Operative (PO) lumbar spine herniated nucleus pulposus due to lack of new and material evidence supporting CUE in the October 1980 and October 1983 RO rating decisions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the reduction from a 20 percent to a 0 percent disability evaluation for service-connected traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine was properly effected and supported by the record. The veteran's combined service-connected disability rating remained at 30 percent, thus no overall reduction in compensation payments occurred.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left and right knee disabilities, with a rating of 60 percent for postoperative residuals of the left total knee replacement.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, coronary artery disease, low back disability, and hair loss were not incurred or aggravated during service.,There is no medical evidence linking any of these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his intervertebral disc syndrome with spondolytic changes of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

Your case is being sent back to the Regional Office for further development of your medical records and consideration of your claims for increased disability ratings.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and will remand the case for additional examination and consideration.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar myositis with somatization disorder and has also denied his claim for service connection for residuals of a spider bite of the left hand.