Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The case is being remanded for further development, including contacting the January 2003 examiner and scheduling a new VA medical examination of the veteran's spine.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed low back, neck, and right shoulder disabilities are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and is granting it, finding that new evidence received since the last final denial supports the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a 50% evaluation, and his thoracic spine disability warrants a 10% evaluation.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's low back disorder is related to service or any other relevant factors.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease, cervical spine is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of both old and new spine regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting spondylolisthesis, lumbar spine, did not worsen during service and therefore does not warrant service connection for a low back disability.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation training is being remanded due to the need for a comprehensive functional capacity evaluation and further review of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia of both knees, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's right knee disability has been granted a 30 percent evaluation, and the low back disorder is pending with a separate evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative disc disorder of the lower back was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied her claim.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and prostatitis, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a relationship to service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disorder during service and denied the claim as there is insufficient medical evidence to link any current low back condition to military service.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Board has determined that a low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to the veteran's military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of travel expenses to VA medical centers in Virginia for treatment of her nonservice-connected degenerative disc disorder was denied because she did not obtain prior authorization from the VA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.