Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and medical records relied upon in their decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to scheduling issues, and a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO is requested.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected lumbar strain with spondylosis from March 6, 1995, through August 15, 2001.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder, which was previously denied in February 1978. The Board is now remanding the case to the RO for further development.

The VA surgery to treat the veteran's back condition did not result in additional disability.

The Board denied service connection for hemorrhoids, rib fracture residuals, meningitis, and a back disorder due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left leg or low back disability in service and concluded that the veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder existed prior to his enlistment and was not aggravated by service, thus denying service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left lower extremity and low back disorders are due to service or service-connected disabilities, granting his claims for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating and an earlier effective date, finding that the January 1996 rating decision denying service connection was final and there was no clear and unmistakable error. The RO is instructed to review the claim under both old and new criteria for spine disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability, including sacroiliac strain. The RO will now consider whether this condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and records review.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical evidence and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's low back disability. The claims for an increased rating and TDIU are being considered.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's low back and bilateral foot disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of the revised general rating formula for diseases and injuries of the spine.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disorder other than scoliosis is related to a fall he experienced in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's low back disorder and service, nor can it be presumed to have been incurred in service. Similarly, there is no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's psychiatric disorder and service, nor can it be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected back, right knee, and left ankle disabilities due to incomplete examinations and new regulations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and notification of his rights under the VCAA.