Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypercholesterolemia, chronic conjunctivitis, impaired vision, a back disorder, broken ribs, hypertension, and condyloma accuminata. The decision also granted an increased evaluation of sinusitis from February 18, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including low back pain with degenerative arthritis, arthritis of the right knee, medial collateral ligament strain of the left knee, residuals of resection of the left clavicle, residuals of a left lung resection with history of sarcoidosis, duodenal ulcer, and hemorrhoids.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination under both old and new rating criteria for spine disorders. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board found no current left leg disability and denied service connection. The back issue is remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected left leg disability and a TDIU, as well as his claim for service connection for a left hip disorder. The RO must obtain additional medical records and provide the veteran with proper VCAA notice.

The Board found new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for back disability, but did not address whether the original denial was due to CUE.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of service connection for back disability was not reopened due to lack of material evidence, despite new medical records and statements from the veteran.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is being remanded for further development, including consideration of his low back disorder and the applicability of recent revisions to the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease and an increased rating for low back disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder is not related to his service-connected knee disability and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current back disability and finds no evidence to support service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain, right ankle arthritis, and left ankle avulsion fracture with arthritis were denied as the conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings prior to June 1, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left knee, low back, and left shoulder disabilities. The conditions are manifested by pain and limited motion without additional functional loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, left hand numbness, and hypertension. The Board found no evidence to support these conditions as being related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations, with some issues being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of revised rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without showing good cause.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain.