Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates, as well as his claim for service connection for a back disorder secondary to or aggravated by a left ankle disability. The issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus are not before the Board due to lack of timely appeal.

The veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for his service-connected low back strain, currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has ordered additional development and remanded the case to VBA for further consideration.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his thoracic spine disability was denied by the Board. The effective date for additional compensation for a dependent spouse is not established due to the existence of a prior undissolved marriage.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a lumbosacral spine disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia, and major depressive disorder.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 claimed as due to trauma were incurred in service, granting the claim.

The veteran's claim is being remanded for further development, including an examination of his lumbar spine and consideration of the amendments in the rating criteria for the spine.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability, which he contends was caused by incidents during his military service. The VA has ordered an examination and review of the case to determine if there is evidence that supports this claim.

The case is being remanded to the RO due to incomplete documentation and the need for additional medical examinations. The appellant's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development of the record, including consideration of revised criteria for rating disabilities of the spine effective September 26, 2003.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to procedural issues, including a need for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing low back disorder was aggravated by service, and thus, service connection for lumbosacral strain is granted.

The veteran's neurodermatitis is likely attributable to his military service and the Board finds that service connection is warranted for this condition. The claim of increased rating for residuals of a back injury and degenerative changes in the lumbar spine with right L4 radiculitis remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder, to include a herniated intervertebral disc, did not originate in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic acquired low back disorder is proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected right lower extremity disabilities.

The veteran's case is being remanded to the RO for rescheduling a Travel Board hearing due to his failure to appear for the previously scheduled hearing.

The Board found that the appellant's lumbosacral strain did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent, as it did not cause limitation of forward flexion to 60 degrees or combined range of motion to 120 degrees.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for examinations and the retrieval of Social Security Administration records.

The Board granted service connection for myofascial syndrome of the lumbar spine with a 10% evaluation effective from June 30, 1997. The veteran appealed this decision seeking an earlier effective date.