Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's current neck disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease at C6-7 and cervical spondylosis at C4-T1, is a result of active service. Therefore, service connection for residuals of a neck injury is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the veteran currently suffers from asbestosis or lung findings consistent with asbestosis. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a disability of the back diagnosed as degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine, status post laminectomy and diskectomy, and including arachnoiditis will also be addressed.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for degenerative disc disease with arthritis of the cervical spine was denied by the RO in October 1998. The RO later granted a 20 percent disability rating from August 1, 1998. However, the case is being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine and arthritis and aching joints, as well as any secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The evidence did not show current diagnoses or treatment related to these conditions in service or within one year after service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and review of medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis and assigned a 20 percent rating effective June 15, 2002. Other issues remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peritendinitis of the right hip does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and his lumbar paravertebral myositis does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under current VA regulations.

The Board has granted the reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a skin disorder to include Agent Orange exposure, but denied the claim for service connection for chronic schizophrenia.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain and chondromalacia of both knees, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and therefore, his claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability was denied, as the current evaluation of 40% is considered appropriate based on his symptoms and medical findings. The claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

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

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disorder and finds that it was incurred in active service. The veteran's current back disability is related to his injury during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his period of service or his service-connected pilonidal cyst excision residuals.

The veteran seeks service connection for a low back disability. The RO has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.