Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the effective date being March 19, 2003. The highest rating of 70 percent was assigned for PTSD as of that date.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current low back disability and his service, including spinal anesthesia. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 11, 1991 for the grant of a 60 percent rating for myositis and DJD of the lumbar spine and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has reopened the claims for low back and left knee disorders, but denied reopening of the right knee disorder. The claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and low back disorder were not incurred or aggravated in active military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was denied. The RO granted service connection for status post compression fracture of the dorsal spine at D7-8 and arthritis of the lumbar spine, both secondary to his service-connected dorsal and lumbar spine disabilities.

The VA determined that the veteran's low back disability was not incurred or aggravated by active service, including his Reserve duty in June 1996. The Board found no evidence of a significant incident occurring during this period and noted that there is no clear documentation of any significant injury to the back.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his active duty service, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine at L4-5, post discectomy was denied. The RO granted service connection and assigned a 20 percent rating effective from April 1, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current back disorder is related to an injury in August 1992 or complaints of back pain noted in February 1997 during active duty for training.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his knee and back disabilities are being remanded due to the receipt of additional evidence. He is also seeking a higher initial evaluation for cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural defects and insufficient notice under the VCAA.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to new evidence and changes in the veteran's condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed low back disability, anxiety disorder, and right shoulder disability.

The veteran seeks service connection for a back disability, but the claim is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and lack of evidence regarding the onset of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if service connection should be granted for a low back disorder and an increased disability rating for right knee disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including whether timely notices of disagreement were filed with certain rating decisions.

The Board is remanding the case to address whether new and material evidence has been received for claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral leg disorders, and bilateral hip disorders. The VA will request further clarification of development already undertaken by the RO and seek records from the Social Security Administration.

The veteran's low back disorder is rated at 20 percent prior to November 6, 2000 and the hearing loss disability is not compensable.