Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and to determine if further examination is necessary.

The RO granted a 60 percent disability rating for the service-connected residuals of a low back injury, effective from May 26, 2002. The RO also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, effective from May 26, 2002.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinea versicolor, chronic back disorder, and fibromyalgia. The VA found no objective indications of chronic disability that could not be attributed to any known clinical diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability did not have its onset during service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip disorders and PTSD, but denied his claim for a back disorder. The bilateral hip disorders are found to be related to an accident during service, while PTSD is linked to another incident during service. Service connection for the back disorder was not established.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right eye disability and low back disability were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected condition. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no evidence to support service connection for left knee disability or degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability and bilateral ankle weakness were not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and further examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, dysthymic disorder or depression, tinnitus, hypertension, and irregular heartbeat. The SMRs were silent on these conditions during active duty, and there was no evidence linking them to service.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection due to cervical and lumbar radiculopathy, finding no new and material evidence.

The Board has found that the appellant's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine originated during his active service and granted service connection for this disability. The other issues were not addressed in detail.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine if service connection is warranted for a low back disability and an asbestos-related lung condition.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine under both old and current rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service medical records and outstanding post-service treatment records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of his service-connected low back strain disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA examination and treatment records.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disorder, thus denying the appellant's request.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for her service-connected right shoulder myofascial scapular syndrome and lumbar strain were denied. The case was remanded to the RO due to an issue with service connection for a right forearm and wrist disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability as secondary to his right ankle fracture residuals and denied entitlement to an increased rating for his right ankle disability.