Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions on whether the veteran's current neck and back disorders are related to his service-connected bronchiectasis. The RO is instructed to arrange for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current neck/cervical spine and low back disorders, including whether they are causally related to the veteran's period of service or if they were aggravated by his service-connected bronchiectasis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected abdominal wound and low back disability. The total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability claim remains pending.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal. As a result, no decision can be made on the issues.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for various service-connected disabilities have been denied. The appeals are based on direct service connection and no presumption or secondary service connection is applicable.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for lumbosacral myositis is being remanded due to the need for VCAA compliance and additional development of medical records.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The case was remanded multiple times, but the effective date for TDIU remains unchanged.

The Board determined that there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's current low back disability to his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis does not warrant a schedular disability evaluation higher than the current 40 percent rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain with lumbar intervertebral disc disease, nor did it meet criteria for an increased rating for right leg radiculopathy. Service connection for a left ear disorder was also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records and to schedule a new examination for his service-connected lumbosacral fibromyositis. The RO will then evaluate the disability under the amended rating criteria for diseases and injuries of the spine.

The veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, but only for the period after July 23, 1998.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice and need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease, status post-bypass. The case is dismissed.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded to allow for further development, including a VA examination and review of medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a medical examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal regarding nonservice-connected VA pension is REMANDED.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service and denied all claims.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for prostatitis. The other issues were remanded.

The appellant's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.