Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VCAA notice and an incomplete VA examination report. The veteran's claim is now pending with the RO.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability was found to warrant a 60 percent rating from February 15, 2002 onwards. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development of evidence, including providing VCAA notice. The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of fracture of the lumbar spine based on aggravation was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's combined nonservice-connected disability rating is 80%, and he does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his ability to dress, undress, feed himself, attend to the wants of nature, and protect himself from daily hazards without assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and Social Security Administration records. The VA will determine if the veteran's current psychiatric, right knee, low back, left ear disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board finds that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain missing service medical records and personnel files, as well as a VA examination to assess her current low back disability and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic acquired low back disorder. The issue is now remanded for further review.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for the 20 percent evaluation of low back strain (superimposed on scoliosis of the spine) was granted. The effective date is set at September 24, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder is causally related to his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully evaluate the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and hip disorders, including obtaining records from chiropractors and VA medical centers.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for C3 abnormality with chronic neck pain, chronic low back pain, and right ear hearing loss. The evidence did not show a direct relationship between these conditions and his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unemployable.

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder and cervical disc disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection may be granted, specifically elevated cholesterol. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and low back disability, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The veteran now has a favorable decision on both issues.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent VA medical records and scheduling the veteran for evaluations of his service-connected psychiatric disorder and low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD and headaches are service-connected based on credible in-service stressors. The other issues were denied as they did not meet the criteria for service connection.