Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, claimed as secondary to his service-connected left hip disorder is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional VA medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbosacral strain, exhibited on his 1996 VA examination, had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and found that the veteran's current low back disorder is related to his military service. The right renal calculus issue remains unresolved.

The veteran's disabilities, including diabetic neuropathy and degenerative joint disease of the extremity joints, have resulted in substantial confinement to his dwelling and immediate premises. The Board has granted special monthly pension on account of being housebound.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for lumbar strain and a higher rating for right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbar strain and assigned a 10 percent rating, effective June 28, 2000. The veteran's claim is now in appellate status due to the increase in his rating.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development of evidence, including obtaining private medical records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficiently disabling to preclude securing or following substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU. The issue of reimbursement for the cost of private medical treatment is remanded due to insufficient information.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records related to the veteran's back injury during service, and then readjudicate whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with left radiculitis and narrowing between L4-5 and L5-S1.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for service-connected epididymitis and service connection for low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of long-term drug therapy or hospitalizations required by the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, which was previously denied in August 1989. The additional medical records provide competent objective evidence of current low back disability.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and scheduling the veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and extent of his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for headaches. The veteran's back disorder is considered a separate issue, but no specific theory of service connection was provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain and hemorrhoids and anal fissure, status post sphincterotomy and fistulectomy, result in constant slight fecal leakage. The veteran is seeking a compensable initial rating for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to inadequate notice and failure to provide a VA examination.

The Board previously denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected sacroiliac sprain with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and spondylolisthesis at L4-L5. The Court has remanded the case to the Board for readjudication, including addressing the impact of pain on range of motion and applying new criteria for rating intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board determined that the veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected disabilities, and denied all claims.

The veteran claims entitlement to service connection for a low back disability. The case is remanded due to the need to obtain reserve medical records and reevaluate the claim by an appropriate examiner.