Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-operative residuals of herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbar spine, finding no evidence linking this condition to his military service.,The Board also denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), as he had no service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is related to his service in Vietnam and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his period of active duty training in July 1980, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered the case to be returned for further development due to the veteran's failure to report for a VA examination and his identification of additional medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for various conditions due to undiagnosed illness, finding that new evidence was not sufficient to reopen previously denied claims.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for service connection for headaches, memory problems, and musculoskeletal disorders of the cervical and lumbar spines. The claim to reopen her arthritis claims was also denied.

The veteran's low back strain with L5 nerve root irritation is currently rated at 60 percent, the highest possible rating under the amended intervertebral disc syndrome regulations. The hip arthritis claim was granted as secondary to service-connected back and knee disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits award records. The case will be reviewed by the RO after these additional steps are completed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for cervical spine arthritis and radiculopathy, arthritis of the lumbar spine, and paresthesia of the alveolar nerve, left jaw.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate notification and possible legal errors in previous decisions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete information and procedural issues, including the need for a higher rating for mitral valve regurgitation, reopening of her low back disability claim, and increased ratings for shin splints.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence related to the veteran's claimed low back, bilateral knee, left hip, and left ankle disorders.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder, including arthritis of the spine; heart disease; and skin disorder. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen previously denied claims for these conditions.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, including spinal stenosis, as secondary to his service-connected bilateral cataracts.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of both former and revised criteria for rating spinal disabilities.

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

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen any of the previously denied claims.