Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's low back disability, effective April 10, 1999. The evaluation is based on moderate recurring attacks of intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for duodenal ulcer with residual scarring and low back strain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 60 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his other conditions and age prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the appellant's lumbar spine disability was not incurred or aggravated during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in June 1993, and therefore denied service connection.

The veteran's low back disability has not been manifested by ankylosis of the spine, residuals of a fractured vertebra, or neurologic symptoms consistent with intervertebral disc syndrome. The RO assigned a 40 percent rating for his low back disability.

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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic acquired low back disability. The case is being remanded for further development, including notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) and obtaining any pertinent medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 30, 2001 for a 40 percent evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the veteran for a VA examination to assess his current service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability did not begin during service and is not related to any in-service injury or disease. As a result, the claim for service connection for a low back disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral knee disorder or degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's current low back disability to his active military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a herniated disc of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no medical evidence to support the contention that this condition was incurred in service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate development of the medical records and examination reports.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence of a current bilateral wrist disorder or low back disorder, and thus denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder with degenerative disc disease warrants a 60 percent evaluation, effective from when it was initially service-connected in August 1985.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability, including arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The examiner opined that the veteran's current condition is due to age-related degenerative changes and not related to his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected mid and low back strain warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back strain, head injury with migraine headaches, and neck strain are being remanded to the RO for additional development including obtaining medical records from a private physician and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to any event, injury, or disease during service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a low back disability is denied.