Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder and PTSD due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding no evidence linking the condition to his active duty service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected muscle injuries, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development and evaluation of the veteran's lumbar strain claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a scalp scar, left ankle sprain residuals, right ankle sprain residuals, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for low back disability. The decision found that there was no current evidence of a scalp scar or any ankle or low back disabilities.

The veteran's back injury and subsequent surgeries have resulted in a permanent disability, but he is not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that hypertension is service-connected, and arthritis of the lumbar spine, knees, elbows, hands, hips, and left foot are also service-connected.

The veteran seeks service connection for low back pain. The Board finds that additional evidentiary development is necessary, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and social and industrial survey.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to new evidence submitted by the appellant's attorney.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, a low back disorder, and dental injury from trauma. The veteran's current disabilities are recognized as service-connected.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded to allow for additional development of his medical records, including those from private chiropractors and VA facilities. The RO will also determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders he may have.

The veteran's dysmenorrhea and low back disability are being reviewed due to the need for further development of evidence. The case will be returned to the Board after additional examination and review.

The veteran is entitled to specially adapted housing due to his service-connected knee disabilities, which cause loss of use of the lower extremities and require constant use of canes or a walker.

The Board has denied reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to multiple non-service-connected disabilities, finding that he did not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability was not incurred in active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and separate ratings for mild right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability during the appellant's active duty service, and concluded that any current low back disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal regarding the January 1997 rating decision, and therefore the issues are dismissed.