Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with left radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence to support an in-service injury or event leading to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete notification and duty to assist requirements, as well as the need for additional VA treatment records. The veteran's claim of an increased rating for coccyx contusion is on appeal, while her service connection claim for lumbosacral disc disease remains pending.

The veteran's current low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and arthritis, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence of in-service injury or disease. However, the disability has been aggravated by his service-connected pilonidal cyst with coccygodynia.

The VA denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected low back disorder, finding that the veteran's condition is currently manifested by moderate limitation of lumbar spine motion.

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated nasal septum incurred during active duty. The remaining issues on appeal regarding higher ratings for various service-connected conditions are remanded to the RO.

The Board has determined that the appellant's cervical spine degenerative changes with cervical radiculopathy are attributable to service and grants this claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is related to his in-service injury and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the January 1967 rating decision denying service connection for a low back disorder was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The Board also determined that, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the veteran, his low back disorder is due to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbosacral strain did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation than the current 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and providing a current VA examination to determine if the service-connected low back disorder alone prevents substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's right knee chondromalacia and medial meniscal tear residuals are service-connected, as is his lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease with L3 and L4 vertebral fracture residuals. The disability evaluations for the left total knee replacement residuals have been increased.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the medical evidence did not show manifestations more severe than moderate intervertebral disc syndrome.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and service connection for arthritis of the spine is being remanded due to incomplete examinations, need for further development under VCAA, and consideration of both old and revised rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a new VA examination and consideration of both old and new rating criteria. The case will be returned to the Board after further action.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development of evidence regarding the veteran's claims for service connection for back disorders.

The VA has determined that the veteran's current rating for his chronic sacroiliac sprain with arthritis of the lumbar spine is not sufficient, as it does not reflect the severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated nasal septum and reopened the veteran's claims for right knee, hearing loss, tinnitus, eye disability, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities based on new evidence submitted since the final denial in November 1987.

The VA has granted a higher evaluation of 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, effective prior to September 23, 2002.