Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there is x-ray evidence of degenerative changes within one year following the veteran's discharge from service. The right hip disorder issue remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's claimed psychiatric, right leg, gastrointestinal, and back disorders are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his service, and thus denied all of his claims for service connection.

The veteran's claim of a rating in excess of 60 percent for his service-connected herniated lumbar disc with low back strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's substantive appeal for service connection for a low back disorder was untimely, but granted an increased rating for his retinal tears and remanded the initial rating issue to the RO.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence showing that his current back problems are likely related to an in-service injury. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his military service, and did not chronically worsen as a result of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development of the record, including a VA examination and review of the medical opinions in the file.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's left forearm scar existed prior to his military service and was not aggravated by such service. The arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for back and leg disorders, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of all pertinent regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD, and thus grants this claim. The low and mid-back condition with osteoporosis issue remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's service-connected right knee disability caused or aggravated his left knee and lumbar spine disabilities. The RO is instructed to obtain medical records, arrange for a VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The veteran's low back disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to June 23, 2003.,Effective June 23, 2003, the rating for his low back disability has been increased to 20 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral spine strain with mild scoliosis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including insomnia, a right shoulder disability, hypertension, and low back and left shoulder disabilities. The evidence did not support current diagnoses or show in-service onset or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a neck injury, right knee injury, and back injury (claimed as lumbar strain).,Service connection was not granted for the veteran's claimed conditions.