Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, headaches, and a low back condition must be remanded due to incomplete information provided by the veteran regarding his alleged stressors in service. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain, bilateral knee arthralgia, and bilateral heel pain.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for compliance with VCAA requirements, including providing adequate notice and examination related to the appellant's service-connected tinea versicolor.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and further development is required.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. However, the case is being remanded due to procedural issues related to notification under the VCAA.

The Board has determined that service connection for chronic low back pain with sciatica to the right leg, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the right hip is not warranted as there is no competent medical evidence establishing current disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability was initially rated at 20% from January 4, 1996 to August 17, 1998. From August 18, 1998 onwards, the disability is now rated at 40%. The current rating of 40% reflects severe impairment.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hammertoes and to reopen her claim of service connection for a back disorder, including as secondary to service-connected resection of portion of left anterior 11th rib and reconstruction of pectus excavatum with metal rod insert. The rating assigned is 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case due to a medical question regarding the nature and onset of the veteran's thoracic spine disorder, which may have been incurred before service. The claim will be further developed with an orthopedic examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, including scoliosis and low back pain, based on new evidence submitted since the March 1993 rating decision.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current back disability to his active duty service and denied his claim.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional notification and development under the VCAA. The issue remains whether he was rendered unemployable solely due to his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected myositis of the lumbar and dorsal paravertebral muscles is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination by an orthopedic specialist.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lumbosacral spine disorder is related to an injury sustained during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims, including adjudicating service connection on a secondary basis.

The veteran's service-connected low back strain with neurological deficit is rated at 40 percent disabling, and the claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for residuals of a lumbar laminectomy, finding that the disability did not meet criteria for higher ratings due to lack of pronounced symptoms or incapacitating episodes.

The veteran's low back disability is being remanded for further examination and development due to the need for a VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by his pre-service reports of a back injury.