Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder and a left ankle disorder due to potential missing medical records and need for a VA examination.

The Board has ordered further development due to incomplete notification and development of the claims for service connection for a back disorder on a secondary basis, an increased rating for varicose veins, and the need for additional medical examination.

The Board denied increased ratings for chronic low back pain with history of low back strain and recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues are dismissed without prejudice.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain in-patient clinical records from Army Hospitals at Fort Jackson, Fort Gordon, and Fort Rucker. The case will be re-adjudicated after these records are obtained.

The veteran's appeal involves his left knee and back disabilities, which he claims are related to injuries sustained during service. The Board has ordered a search for additional service medical records and will schedule the veteran for an examination to determine if these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the veteran for examinations to assess his left knee and low back disabilities. The RO will also consider the revised rating criteria for evaluating intervertebral disc syndrome and other spinal disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder did not begin during service and is not related to any incident of service. As such, the claim for service connection for a low back disorder is denied.

The veteran's service-connected low back injury and right sciatic nerve disorder were denied increased ratings.,A separate 20 percent rating was granted for the right sciatic nerve disorder effective from September 23, 2002.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine effective May 8, 1998.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and searching for service records from another ship. The veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a herniated disc, cardiovascular disability, and lung disability. Service connection for neuropsychiatric disability is also granted as secondary to the service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine and chondromalacia, left patella.

The veteran's service-connected mid and low back arthritis was rated at 100% disabling, but the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied as it did not meet the criteria of being continuously rated totally disabling for a period of ten years immediately preceding death.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia as it is caused by the veteran's service-connected low back strain with lumbar disc disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability and amputation of the right foot proximal to the metatarsal bone, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disorder and lumbar spine arthritis, finding no new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected DDD of the lumbosacral spine was granted. He also received a 100% SMC effective June 30, 2000, for LOU of both feet secondary to his service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed low back, neck, and left hip disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The current diagnoses are not related to his previously service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.