Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, which is more than the current 10 percent rating. The issue of hepatitis C was not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's death was caused by a service-connected closed head injury with headaches, which contributed to his depression and suicide.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as further consideration of the veteran's claim.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it is related to a back injury sustained during military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disorder and a low back disorder, both as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a right ankle injury, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the veteran's neck disability, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The RO will now proceed with adjudicating the merits of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for a travel board hearing and further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a current disability and no link between any diagnosed conditions and his military service.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the severity of the veteran's service-connected conditions and any associated bladder condition. The RO must also issue a statement of the case regarding the initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar stenosis, post-surgical condition did not originate during service and there is no evidence linking it to any incident of service. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back strain with disc disease warrants a rating of 40 percent, effective from March 2, 1978.

The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA examinations for the veteran's spine disabilities, including orthopedic and neurological evaluations. The RO will then readjudicate the claims based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's left foot, right foot, cervical spine, low back, right ankle and right shoulder disabilities were not present in service or until many years thereafter, and they are not related to service or to an incident of service origin, or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with sciatic neuritis has been rated at 40 percent since February 18, 1999. The Board has determined that a higher evaluation of 60 percent is warranted for this period.

The veteran's fibromyalgia and thoracolumbar strain have been granted increased ratings to 40 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.

The veteran is not entitled to an effective date earlier than November 4, 1997 for the grant of a 60 percent disability evaluation for herniated nucleus pulposus, L4-L5 and L5-S1, clinical lumbosacral polyradiculopathy, and lumbar paravertebral myositis secondary to back strain.

The Board found that the veteran's low back and cervical spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and residuals of meningitis, finding that there was no evidence of current disability or residual effects from these conditions.