Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied. The claim to reopen his previously denied left sciatica claim was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher level of special monthly compensation at a rate greater than 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(l), to include loss of use of the arms and legs.

The March 1994 rating decision granted service connection for low back disability and assigned a noncompensable evaluation effective May 4, 1956. The veteran is contesting this decision.

The VA determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is characterized by moderate limitation of motion, and thus does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbar degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and a VA examination.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether a congenital low back disorder was subjected to a superimposed disease or injury in service, and if so, whether it resulted in current additional back disability.

The Board denied a higher initial disability rating for the veteran's service-connected postoperative residuals of a laminectomy, diskectomy due to herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbosacral spine from December 25, 1998, to September 22, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and notification of the veteran about relevant evidence he should submit.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a low back disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss as there is no competent medical evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by service. The lower back disorder claim was also denied, with the RO finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.,For his right wrist disorder, VA treatment records indicate he may need further evaluation at a hand clinic for potential fusion surgery. His symptoms include numbness in his right hand.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for VCAA compliance and scheduling of a hearing.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of recent changes in the rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need to obtain additional information from SSA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant a compensable evaluation for any period since September 1, 1996.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder on the merits, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The veteran's case is being remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing. The issues are whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claim of low back disorder service connection, and entitlement to a compensable rating for hepatitis.

The Board found that the veteran's HNP L4-5 back disability had not improved to justify a reduction from 60 percent to 20 percent, and thus restored the original 60 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient nexus opinions regarding whether the veteran's low back disability is directly related to service or secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for back disability, resulting in a denial.

The Board finds that the veteran's current neck and back conditions are related to his service in December 1944, resulting from an airplane crash. As such, the veteran is granted service connection for these residuals.