Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for service connection for back disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disorder did not begin during service and is not related to any incident of service. Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his nonservice-connected disabilities, which do not meet the criteria outlined in VA regulations.

The Board has found that additional development of evidence is required, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and service hospitalization records. The appeal will be remanded to the RO/AMC for further action.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disorders are not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen his previously-denied claim of service connection for a back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating, in excess of 10 percent, for a chronic low back strain disability and for an initial compensable disability rating for residuals of left knee strain.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back disability and migraine headaches due to incomplete VCAA notification.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received, and the issue of service connection for a back disability will be reconsidered by the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a back disability or ear disability (to include hearing loss and tinnitus) related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for his hemorrhoids and chronic low back tendonitis with spasm are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including obtaining medical records from a hospital in 1960.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and compensation, finding that the May 1975 rating decision was not clearly erroneous and that the current service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his degenerative disc disease, L5-S1, as it does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran does not have cervical syringomyelia, lumbosacral strain, or scoliosis related to his active service. The veteran's only compensable service-connected disability is residuals of frostbite of the left 2nd and 4th fingertips, which do not meet the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure, low back disability secondary to left ankle sprain, and bilateral knee disabilities secondary to left ankle sprain. The veteran was assigned a 30% initial rating for PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic acquired lumbar and cervical spine disorders, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and is now considering the secondary service connection claim for a left knee disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disorder is not related to his military service.