Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board has established that the veteran's low back disorder existed prior to service and was aggravated by service, granting his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected post-operative scar of drainage of hematoma of left lumbar muscle with secondary muscle hernia does not warrant an increased rating as it currently manifests no more than slight impairment and there is no evidence of frequent hospitalization or marked interference with employment.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to arthritis contributing to an abdominal aneurysm rupture. The issue of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected sacroiliac strain and lumbar myositis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, heart disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder. The issues are now remanded to the RO for further review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder and left knee disorder are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right total knee replacement, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability and lumbar spine disability, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran meets the criteria for a 60 percent disability rating for his lower back disorder, which includes intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative changes. This decision was effective as of September 23, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are related to a back injury sustained in service.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and clarification of his service connection claim for a chronic acquired low back disorder.

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

The veteran's disability compensation benefits were reduced to a 10 percent rate effective October 20, 1996 due to his incarceration for a felony conviction.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disorders. The veteran's conditions are related to his inservice motor vehicle accidents.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The appellant's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected back condition will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

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

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and VCAA notice.

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

The case is being remanded for further development and adjudication of the increased rating claim for lumbosacral strain, as well as the unemployability claim. The RO must consider both the old and new criteria for evaluating spine disabilities.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and denied basic eligibility to receive pension benefits. The decision is based on new evidence submitted by the veteran.