Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent evaluation from March 6, 1997. The thoracic and cervical spine disabilities were not granted any additional evaluations.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities to his service or any incident therein, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for scoliosis and chronic lumbar strain, finding that these conditions were present in service or are related to active military service. The Board also found that the veteran's current diagnoses of spondylolysis, degenerative joint disease, and degenerative disc disease may be related to his back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence of a cervical spine disorder related to service and insufficient evidence supporting higher disability ratings.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded to allow for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the veteran for a VA examination.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine disability is service-connected, with no specific date provided.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a back disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records to determine the extent of his service-connected low back disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and the need for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of various conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability is at least as likely as not attributable to a traumatic combat injury during service, and granted his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. For the period prior to February 2004, he received a 20 percent rating. After February 2004, he received a 50 percent rating.

The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 22, 1997.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain and liver damage due to substance abuse. The veteran's low back disorder is not considered service-connected, as there was no evidence of a current disability related to his period of active duty. For the liver damage claim, the Board found that the veteran engaged in drug use during service which may have contributed to his condition, but did not establish direct or secondary service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability was not incurred or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and chronic low back strain. The evidence did not support these claims as they were not of service origin.

The Board found that the veteran's current disabilities were not caused by a VA examination, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his low back disorder, skin disorder, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board found no evidence linking hepatitis C, depression, or cervical spine degenerative disc disease to service and denied the claims.