Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease with chronic lumbago and low back strain is being remanded due to evidence of worsening since the last VA examination, necessitating further development including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's folliculitis decalvans, acne, and xerosis are not related to service. The cervical spine and left hip disorders are also not shown to be related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his bilateral pes planus and determine if a low back disorder is secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, which is secondary to his already service-connected left ankle disability, has been remanded due to the need for additional treatment records and proper VCAA notification.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disorder is not related to service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the RO's determinations regarding CUE in the prior denials of service connection for back and shoulder disabilities are final, as the veteran did not perfect an appeal within the required timeframes.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and denied increased ratings for the veteran's left knee, right knee, migraine headaches, and sinusitis.,The veteran's low back disability was not found to be related to his military service.

Service connection was granted for dental trauma to teeth #8 and #9. The left knee injury, skin disorder, back disability, and right hip pain are all found to be service-connected.,New evidence has been submitted supporting the veteran's claims of service origin for his left knee injury, skin disorder, back disability, and right hip pain.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's degenerative disc disease and varicose veins, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations.

The veteran's low back strain was not shown to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 6, 2002 and from August 6, 2002 the disability did not meet criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tearing and loss of peripheral vision of the right eye, anxiety disorder secondary to service-connected disability, peroneal neuropathy of the right lower extremity, a right hip disorder, and low back disorder are all denied. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left foot fracture is granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations and consideration of the claims. The issues include service connection for various disorders, including right eye disorder, neck disorder, shoulder disorder, low back disorder, jaw disorder, and right arm disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are not related to his service-connected residuals of frostbite.

The Board has remanded the case due to unaccompanied lay statements submitted by the appellant and a need for further review of his service medical records. The claim will remain open pending completion of these tasks.

The Board found that new and material evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a back disorder, or PTSD. The decision is mixed as it granted some issues (PTSD) but denied others.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder and finds that new evidence supports a finding that his current low back disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with sciatic neuropathy, acid reflux, and chronic migraine headaches, are not related to his active military service. The veteran was granted service connection for chronic migraine headaches but denied for the other two conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for back disability and determined that new evidence supports this reopening. However, it was concluded that the veteran's current back disorder is not related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher 20 percent rating is warranted based on moderate impairment.