Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability or an acquired psychiatric disorder that was incurred in service. The veteran's current conditions are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded both issues on appeal due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board found that the veteran's low back problems and stroke residuals are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee replacement.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and remanded his claims for service connection for a back disorder due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The veteran is also required to provide updated medical records and undergo examinations to determine if current conditions are related to military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, secondary to his service-connected instability, right knee. The evidence submitted since the last denial shows that the veteran may have a lumbar spine disorder related to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has restored service connection for L5-S1 radiculopathy secondary to cervical and lumbar myositis. It also granted increased ratings for cervical and lumbar myositis, with the highest rating of 40% effective from March 17, 2003.

The Board granted an increased evaluation to 20 percent for lumbar strain and narrowing of L5-S1, effective September 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the appellant's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a determination on whether the appellant's right knee disability should be service-connected and an evaluation of his low back disability.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and chronic sinusitis due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of her current disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for high cholesterol, low back disorder, and hiatal hernia. The case is being remanded for further development.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any left knee, left ankle, or low back disability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for chronic lumbar strain, but further development is needed to determine if his current back disability is related to his military service.

The veteran's low back disability, characterized by degenerative disc disease and disc herniation at L3-L4, is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board has determined that the current rating of 40 percent is appropriate, as it represents the maximum schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Codes 5293.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability and denied it. The PTSD issue was remanded due to insufficient verification of claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that the current severity of the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine needs to be further evaluated due to unclear neurologic manifestations and incapacitation. The case is being REMANDED for additional examination and development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure the appellant receives proper notice under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and to obtain all relevant medical records. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has accepted the veteran's informal claim for compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a back disorder, and will now proceed with adjudicating this claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that it is not secondary to his service-connected shell fragment wound to the left shoulder.