Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the appellant's back disability, including degenerative disc disease, was incurred during service. As such, with resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant, service connection for a back disability, including degenerative disc disease, is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine, finding that VA's recoupment of his special separation benefit payment was proper. The case is remanded to obtain additional development regarding the veteran's current back disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding no evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating for his right shoulder disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a direct service connection. The claim for an increased rating was granted with a 10 percent disability rating effective April 1, 1990.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and considering the revised diagnostic provisions for spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, finding that none of them meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to new legal standards and a need for further examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an increased evaluation for his right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for clarification of hearing requests, verification of treatment records, and additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's failed back syndrome, status post lumbar microdiscectomy with lower extremity radiculopathy is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his low back strain with postoperative lumbar disc disease, including consideration of functional loss due to pain.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder. However, additional development is necessary as the underlying claim remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected due to credible evidence of exposure to combat-compatible circumstances during his Southeast Asia service. The chronic back, hip, and TMJ disorders are not service-connected as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any other service-connected condition.

The veteran is seeking service connection for his low back injuries, which he claims occurred during active duty. The VA has ordered additional development to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for back and right hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and any Workers' Compensation records.

The Board found that the veteran's symptoms of back and right foot disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings of lumbar strain and major depressive disorder, as well as service connection for psychiatric disorders other than major depression. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling examinations to assess his service-connected back disability and any psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent for the service-connected degenerative disc disease at L4-5, effective from February 6, 2002.