Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and clarification regarding his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to several procedural issues and the need for additional medical examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and treatment records related to his hearing loss. The issues of service connection for lumbar disc disease and benign prostatic hypertrophy are also pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board granted an effective date of October 26, 1994 for a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral muscle strain with disc disease.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected arthritis of the lumbar spine warrants a 10 percent disability rating, but not higher. The medical evidence indicated that the condition is manifested by pain without associated neurological symptoms.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain with a herniated L4-5 disc is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of revised rating criteria.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a neck disorder and granted an increased evaluation for right shoulder subluxation and snapping. The left shoulder disability is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical evidence and ensure all records are reviewed before deciding the service connection claim for a low back disorder.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted since the March 1997 rating decision. The evidence now suggests that his current low back disability may be related to service, specifically an injury sustained in service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and thoracic spine, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is at least as likely as not related to service, and thus grants service connection for a low back disability.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected low back scar is remanded due to the need for additional development. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disorder is also remanded.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD and denied his claims for service connection for PTSD, a scar over the right eye, and lumbar disc disease.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for updated medical examination and consideration of revised VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation services, finding that he did not have an employment handicap and thus did not meet the eligibility criteria under Chapter 31 of Title 38.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a comprehensive neurological examination.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for a back disorder, right foot arch, arthritis of the wrists, and prostate disorder. The veteran's current disabilities are not considered radiogenic diseases or shown to have been present during service or for many years thereafter.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine disability, including arthritis and degenerative disc disease, was not incurred or aggravated by active service.