Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, hemorrhoids, chronic groin strain, swelling of the feet and legs, and a chronic eye disorder. The evidence submitted since the previous denial does not include competent medical evidence of current disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling of VA examinations and obtaining additional medical records.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board dismisses the case.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, left shoulder disability, headaches (due to a concussion in service), left ankle disability, hemorrhoids, and rash on the right foot.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for lumbosacral pain, chondromalacia of the left knee, and chondromalacia of the right knee are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, low back condition, head injury residuals, COPD, and injuries to neck, feet, and legs. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

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

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for a lumbar spine disability and a total rating based on individual unemployability.

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

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to missing records, including SSA and VA medical center records. The veteran's service-connected low back disability will also be evaluated.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder, finding that it is not based on any presumption or new and material evidence. The decision also noted that VA had complied with its duty to notify under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for PTSD and lumbosacral strain, as well as the claim for TDIU due to inadequate reasons and bases in the December 2002 decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability, finding that her current left patello-femoral syndrome was not caused or aggravated by her service-connected left knee disability. The initial rating for left patello-femoral syndrome remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain, L4-L5 discogenic disease and bulging disc and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination.

The Board has found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability. The veteran's current diagnoses include degenerative disc disease, thoracic spondylosis without myelopathy, and chronic low back pain secondary to trauma.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a low back disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his case.

The Board has granted service connection for a seizure disorder and assigned a 100 percent rating for PTSD. The remaining issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, shoulders, and knees, and for prostatitis, and entitlement to a higher initial rating for Hepatitis C rated zero percent disabling are REMANDED.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current L4-L5 degenerative disc disease is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's PTSD and other disabilities render him unemployable, warranting a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes. Service connection for PTSD is granted based on new evidence.