Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of disabilities of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that no legal basis existed to assign such a date.

The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD, a back disorder, defective hearing, tinnitus, and gastrointestinal disorders as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation. The other issues were not granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding that there was no competent medical evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for chronic low back pain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting an orthopedic examination.

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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including proper notification of the VCAA and use of appropriate rating criteria.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current low back disorder to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain with traumatic arthritis and right knee arthritis. The veteran was previously granted service connection for these conditions, but the appeals were not about the initial grant of service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and new issues were addressed. The RO granted an increased rating of 10 percent for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease effective from March 14, 2003, but the other claims remain pending.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a back condition as secondary to service-connected residuals of a left knee injury, but further development is needed before the merits can be decided.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, to include as secondary to a service-connected right ankle disability. The new evidence submitted indicates that the veteran currently has a low back disability and an orthopedic specialist opined that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including any aggravated leg length discrepancy.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to procedural defects and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral elbow, wrist, low back and left hip disorders. This includes obtaining medical records from various healthcare providers and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain is related to service and grants this claim. The other issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee and low back disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for these conditions. The case is being remanded to provide a VA examination to determine if there is any relationship between the veteran's current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including a VA medical examination and readjudication of the service connection claim on the merits.

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

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her mechanical low back pain with degenerative joint disease and migraine headaches, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the low back disorder or a rating in excess of 30 percent for the migraines prior to June 20, 2003, and to a rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his current back disorder is related to service, and thus denied his application for service connection.