Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and low back disability, finding new and material evidence. The claim for hypertension is granted as it was incurred in service, while the claim for low back disability remains denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and thoracic and left trapezius strain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar scoliosis is granted. The current disability rating of 20 percent remains unchanged.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical center records.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran's total disability due to service-connected conditions allowed for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred from December 31, 2002, through January 17, 2003.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current low back disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disorder and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder, rated at 40 percent, does not warrant an increased evaluation due to its current symptoms and range of motion.

The Board denied service connection for both the appellant's low back disorder and testicular disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for residuals of a head injury, to include headaches, and a back condition, to include numbness of the right leg, are not supported by the evidence and have been denied.

The veteran's request for a hearing has been clarified, and he now wants a local RO hearing. The case is being remanded to the RO for scheduling this hearing.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the neurological impairment associated with it is rated at 10 percent. The claim for increased ratings has been granted.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine on and after September 26, 2003 is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The VA determined that the veteran did not suffer additional disability of the left leg and/or low back as a result of VA surgical treatment in January 1961.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The additional medical records did not offer any probative information relating these conditions to military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for pulmonary and skin disorders based on new evidence. The veteran's prostatitis is rated at 40 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability warrants a 40 percent evaluation beginning February 20, 2003.