Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the nature and extent of all disabilities present.

The veteran's low back strain is rated at 20 percent, reflecting significant limitation of motion and associated symptoms.

The Board finds that the veteran's osteoporosis is secondary to his service-connected hepatitis and grants service connection for this condition. The back disability claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current chronic back disability related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip disorder, right knee disorder, neurologic disorder involving the lower extremities (including a sciatic nerve disorder), and chronic back disorder. The evidence did not support these claims.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses at Wellmont Bristol on November 14, 2001 was denied because the treatment did not meet the criteria for a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritic changes and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine and a left shoulder disorder. The evidence did not support the veteran's assertions that these conditions were related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine are manifested by constant low back pain with intermittent exacerbations, and the Board has determined that a 60 percent rating is warranted.

The Board has requested a VA opinion regarding whether the veteran's lumbar spine disorder was caused by negligent medical treatment. The case is being remanded to obtain additional pertinent VA treatment records and to determine if an appropriate examination or opinion should be conducted.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative facet disease of the lumbosacral spine aggravated his psychiatric disorder, leading to his death from anoxic encephalopathy.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder and granted service connection for right achilles tendinitis.,Service connection was established for right achilles tendinitis, but the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of cervical spine arthritis, right shoulder bursitis, and sinusitis remain pending.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The effective date of his 20% rating for low back pain syndrome must also be addressed.

The Board has determined that there is additional development needed, including a VA examination and the review of SSA records. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disorder will be remanded to the RO.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection of a back condition or PTSD, and thus denied both claims.

The VA denied the veteran's request for a higher rating for her service-connected low back disorder, currently evaluated at 20 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inability to locate his service medical records and an attempt should be made to obtain private treatment records from identified physicians.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for alcoholism, increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for muscle contraction headaches, lumbosacral strain (low back pain), a cervical spine disability, and a bilateral shoulder disability have been denied due to lack of legal merit.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back disability did not start during service and was not caused by or permanently worsened by his service-connected left shoulder and left knee disabilities. Therefore, service connection for a low back disability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for low back injury and loss of right kidney, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or a current disability related to service. Service connection was not granted for dental trauma or cold injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any conditions related to his active service, and therefore denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a mandibular joint condition, right hip condition, and back condition. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any service-connected disability.