Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

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

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and a back disorder, finding that the veteran's pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, but denied the claims of service connection for cervical spine disorder and fibromyalgia. The veteran's current back disorders are related to her in-service falls.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability warrants a 60 percent evaluation prior to May 24, 2003 and separate evaluations of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy from May 24, 2003.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for low back strain prior to August 6, 2002 and from that date was denied. The evidence did not show impairment warranting a higher rating under the applicable VA criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of melanoma and there is no evidence linking any skin disorder to service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The back disorder claim also lacks sufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no relationship between the service-connected right knee disability and the veteran's low back disability, disc disease of the lumbar spine. Therefore, service connection for this condition as secondary to the right knee disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the veteran's back disorder.

The veteran's right ankle disorder remains at a 20 percent evaluation. Claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy are denied as secondary to diabetes mellitus. Service connection is also denied for a low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, both secondary to diabetes mellitus, is denied. The veteran's right ankle disorder remains at 20 percent evaluation. Service connection for a low back disorder and skin cancer are denied as secondary to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and lack of information about in-service back injuries. The veteran's claim for service connection is being reviewed again.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and a respiratory disorder, finding that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, service connection for a left ankle disability, and TDIU. The back disability was rated at 20% disabling based on its symptoms and findings from VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic acquired low back disorder, previously denied in November 1961. The claim is now reopened.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of a VA examination and missing medical records. The veteran's claim for service connection for chronic back disorder is now pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder and also denied his increased rating for seborrhea.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and rating assignments, finding that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen previously denied claims or establish service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for chronic low back syndrome, L-3, L-4 due to new and material evidence submitted since the RO's August 1981 decision. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board found that the reduction in rating from 10 percent to noncompensably disabling for rhabdomyolysis with hypokalemia was proper. The claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine condition is remanded.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for updated examination findings under the new VA criteria.