Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability has aggravated his currently diagnosed low back disability, allowing for secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, as secondary to benign prostatic hypertrophy. The claim for direct service connection is being remanded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was denied in July 1953 due to lack of medical evidence. The effective date remains February 5, 1987, as the claim was reopened based on a liberalization of the law.

The RO denied the veteran's applications to reopen his claims of service connection for back and hearing loss disabilities, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury, frostbite to the fingers of both hands, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and surgery to the toes are denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeals regarding service connection for low back condition, ulcers, and Agent Orange residuals were dismissed due to the failure to file timely substantive appeals. The claims for hepatitis B and C, hearing loss, and PTSD have been reinstated.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing due to the change in the Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic acquired low back disorder is service-connected, with spondylolisthesis at L5 being attributed to an injury sustained while carrying books down a flight of stairs during active duty.

The veteran's chronic acquired low back disorder and right ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis are both service-connected, and the VA has assigned appropriate disability ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and facial abrasions, but granted service connection for residuals of injury to the left kidney, status post left nephrectomy. The initial evaluations for the other disabilities were also granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable evaluation are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board found no evidence of a heart disorder or arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and hands in service. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, low back pain, hearing loss, and residuals of exposure to Agent Orange (including seizure disorder and heart disorders).

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and back disorder claims are denied as there is no medical evidence of a causal relationship between current symptoms and active service.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and psychiatric disorder, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claim of service connection for a back disorder.

The veteran is seeking service connection for post-traumatic changes of the cervical and lumbosacral spine, which he claims were caused by an inservice explosion. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressors. The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and PTSD, as well as his claims for compensable evaluations for his service-connected hearing and ear disabilities, are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, arranging for orthopedic and neurology examinations to determine if any chronic acquired low back and bilateral hip disorders are related to service or service-connected disabilities, and considering the application of regulations pertaining to secondary service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.