Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The veteran's service connection for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, and thoracic spine was granted with initial ratings of noncompensable prior to specific dates, followed by increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disorder is related to his active service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal due to a lack of timely filed substantive appeal.

The Board found no evidence of a service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, low back disability, or diastasis recti. The veteran's current conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has restored the previously assigned 40 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain, effective from November 1, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural deficiencies and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disability related to service, and denied the claim.,New evidence submitted since May 1997 did not provide new or material information that would reopen the chronic dermatitis claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left leg shortening and degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are secondary to his service-connected osteomyelitis, which resulted in a fracture of the left femur. The Board granted these claims as they are aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spondylosis/lumbar syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for his knee disabilities, finding that they are not related to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to ensure that all evidence is considered and the claims are evaluated in accordance with applicable regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service or within the presumptive period, and thus could not establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to changes in rating schedule regulations and the need for the veteran to be notified of these changes.

The Board found that the veteran's back disability did not have a nexus to his military service and denied his claim.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus and spondylolisthesis of the low back with mild degenerative disc disease were evaluated, but his claim for increased ratings was denied.

The case is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the veteran's claims.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current back disorder to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back disorder. The veteran's current diagnoses, including spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with low back pain, are considered due to an in-service injury.