Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and neck disorder did not begin in service or are related to any incident therein, nor is it proximately due to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and low back disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The RO will schedule the veteran for a hearing before RO personnel.

The RO granted a 10 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine effective December 1, 1996. The veteran's claim remains in appellate status as her request for an increased rating is still pending.

The Board found that the veteran's current cervical spine and left shoulder conditions are not related to an injury in service, but rather likely due to aging. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and conducting further examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder existed prior to his entry into active duty and was not aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and an earlier effective date are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected dorsolumbar paravertebral myositis scoliosis, finding that his back disability was manifested by arthritic changes, disc space narrowing, mild limitation of motion and muscle spasm. The RO had previously granted a 20 percent evaluation effective November 1992.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine condition due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial in February 1994.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine with degenerative joint disease/degenerative disc disease and right shoulder impingement, status post rotator cuff repair are related to service. The claim for bilateral popliteal aneurysms is being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disorder was rated at 10 percent, and the right knee disorder was also rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and verify his Gulf War service.

The veteran seeks service connection for a right ankle fracture and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, claiming these conditions are related to his military service. The case is being remanded due to incomplete records and further examination is needed.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a DA20 and VA examinations to determine the likelihood of service connection for his back disorders and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for low back disability and determined that a current disability is causally related to service. The claims for left knee and right knee disabilities were not substantiated by the evidence provided.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the impact of his disabilities on his ability to work.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The cervical spine disorder claim is considered 'unknown' as it does not pertain to a specific exposure basis or presumption.

The Board found that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and therefore denied service connection for all issues.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of a left knee injury were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, and denied his claim for service connection.