Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence related to his Social Security Disability claim. The RO must review the claims of service connection for hepatitis C, a back disability, and post traumatic stress disorder in light of any additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine and shoulder disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection of a low back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, including neurological deficit. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether this condition is related to an in-service motor vehicle accident.

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

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of residuals of a left long finger injury and abdominal pain, finding no current diagnosed disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhagic fever, an eye condition, and a low back condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including notification of the VCAA and VA's re-defined duties to assist and notify. The veteran should be asked to provide information regarding the date he became totally disabled due to his service-connected back disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's motion to revise a previous decision, stating that there was no clear and unmistakable error in denying an earlier effective date for his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date for a 10% disability rating for lumbosacral strain, stating that no CUE was found in previous decisions and that the claim is based on facts ascertainable within one year of June 26, 1990.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from May 6, 1993 to May 17, 1996 and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent as of and since May 18, 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current genitourinary and back disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his low back disability and a TDIU rating, finding that his service-connected low back disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on its current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service medical records and other pertinent documents.

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

The Board has granted a higher rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected low back disability effective July 22, 2004.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his lumbar degenerative disc disease was granted, and he is currently receiving a 10 percent disability rating effective January 4, 2002.

The Board denied service connection for the removal of the right testicle, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, and residuals of a right foot injury. The appellant's appeal was withdrawn regarding his left knee disability.