Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a low back disability. The evidence did not show a current diagnosis of PTSD, and there was no credible supporting evidence verifying the occurrence of in-service stressors. For the low back disability issue, it is being remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for DDD and assigned a 60 percent evaluation effective October 28, 2002. The veteran's TDIU was also awarded with the same effective date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, right hip, and left hip are inadequately reflected by their current 20% and 10% disability ratings. The case is being remanded to provide the veteran with a comprehensive VA orthopedic examination to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post traumatic stress disorder, a low back disability, a skin disability of the hands, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and a duodenal ulcer. The appeals were all denied as not having been substantiated by evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for service-connected lumbar spine injury residuals is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development of his case.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for GERD and service connection for a chronic low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or post-service continuity of symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are related to his service, including a chronic recurrent lumbar sprain/strain with degenerative disc disease that began during his initial period of service. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected postoperative residuals of DDD of L5-S1 with lumbosacral strain was granted, and he is currently rated at 60 percent disabling effective September 23, 2002.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of medical evidence and need for further clarification on service connection and evaluation issues.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further evidentiary development due to scheduling issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current knee or back disability is causally related to service-connected bilateral hammertoes.

The veteran's diagnosed chronic low back strain is found to be related to his military service, thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease since September 26, 2003.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder and a low back disorder, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied, and he is not entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The veteran's claim for service connection of his low back disorder is pending.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The RO denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back disorder, bilateral ankle disability, schizophrenia, bilateral knee disability, and hip disability. The decisions became final as the appellant did not file a NOD.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete evidence and procedural issues. The appeal is remanded for further evidentiary development, including obtaining medical records from identified sources.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the veteran's lumbar facet disease and lumbosacral spondylolisthesis, effective September 1, 1994.