Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for disorders of the gums, eyes, back, and heart. The RO continued these denials in a May 2004 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a back disorder as a result of his service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective June 12, 2001.,The veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for instability and subluxation, and another 10 percent for traumatic arthritis with limitation of motion.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected lumbosacral and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate examination reports, lack of VCAA notice, and other procedural deficiencies.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to procedural issues and to obtain necessary medical records.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current back disorder is related to his military service, as he reported recurrent back pain during his active duty.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of the case under both old and new rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a low back disorder, arthritis of the legs, disability manifested by dizziness and syncope, migraine headaches, tinea pedis, tinea cruris, onychomycosis, hemorrhoidal tags, or lentiginosis that are related to active service. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining National Guard medical records and VA treatment records. The spine rating criteria are also to be considered.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected low back disability, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on moderate limitation of motion and mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the dental trauma claim is not reopened. The heart disorder claim due to Agent Orange exposure has also been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active duty. However, there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and thus this issue remains unresolved.

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

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and the increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and lumbar spine strain. The veteran was not granted any benefits in these claims.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for VCAA compliance and consideration of new rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and schizophrenia, finding no competent evidence linking the current condition to active duty. The claim of a back disability was also denied as there is no competent evidence showing it began during or due to active duty.,There is no credible evidence linking either the diagnosed psychiatric disorder or the back disability to service.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and clarification of her hearing request.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not relate any of the claimed conditions to service, and thus, the claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and back disorders, as well as his claim for an increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the right knee. The evidence received since the June 1984 decision was not considered new and material.