Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board found that DDD of the spine was not related to service or a service-connected condition, and denied the claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of low back strain.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and back pathology with arthritis of the lumbar spine. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development of medical evidence, including VA spine and knee examinations.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain the veteran's military pay records from July to August 1975 and review his service medical records for continuity of symptomatology.

The veteran's service-connected knee and back conditions were granted, with a 10% evaluation for each condition effective February 16, 2002. The left ankle tendonitis was found noncompensably disabling.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board found no evidence of current shoulder, allergic reaction to penicillin, or back disability. The veteran's service medical records do not show any chronic conditions related to these issues.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic acquired low back and left hip disorders as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The case must be returned to the VBA AMC for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on whether there is a causal relationship between the service-connected right knee disability and the claimed low back and left hip disorders.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate reasons and bases used in the analysis of his PTSD claim, as well as other service connection claims. The case will be returned to the Board after further evidentiary development.

The Board found that lumbar spine spondylolisthesis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for kidney and back disorders, finding that any conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The VA determined that the appellant's service-connected lumbosacral strain disability is currently asymptomatic, but has shown moderate limitation of motion and muscle spasms with pain on motion over the course of the appeal period. The current rating for this condition remains at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current low back or bilateral knee disability as a result of his active service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine with degenerative joint disease, which he claims was caused by a spinal tap during his military service and aggravated by a subsequent back injury. The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if there is a nexus between the veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD, which renders moot the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to September 2000.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death and did not grant an earlier effective date for TDIU (for accrued benefits purposes). The Board found that there was no evidence to establish a nexus between any of the veteran's service-connected disabilities or other incidents of his active service and his cause of death.

The Board granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral and thoracic spine disabilities, effective from September 26, 2003. Prior to that date, he was awarded a combined 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and arranging for VA examinations. The veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture, finding that his current arthritis is related to his in-service injury. The claims for service connection for lumbar spine and right shoulder conditions are remanded due to the need for further development.