Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The veteran's right knee impairment with instability and total knee replacement is rated at 30 percent, which the Board finds adequate. The low back disorder is not service-connected as secondary to his right knee disability. Service connection for a left leg disorder remains unresolved.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The veteran's low back disability, previously rated at 20 percent prior to November 26, 2002, and now rated at 40 percent thereafter, is not considered sufficient for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected cervical and thoracic/lumbar spine disabilities due to his failure to report for VA examinations scheduled in February 2001, November 2001, and May 2002.

The Board denied the appellant's motion to revise a January 1949 rating decision that severed service connection for a back disorder, and also denied his claim for nonservice-connected burial benefits. The veteran did not have any pending claims at the time of his death, nor was he in receipt of VA compensation or pension.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and incomplete evidence. The veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, headaches, arthritis of the lumbar spine, dental trauma from service, and a right index finger fracture.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development including medical nexus opinions and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying his periods of inactive duty training. The VA will schedule a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and records, and the need for further development.

The Board has received notification of a withdrawal of the appeal from the appellant, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back injury, an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus, and earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability, which was previously denied in March 1985. The appellant now needs to provide competent medical evidence linking his current back disability to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of the claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability and service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability warrants an initial evaluation of 60 percent, effective from the date of her discharge from service.

The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbosacral spine does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 40 percent, as he does not have evidence of severe impairment resulting from recurring attacks with only intermittent relief.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded for further development.