Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain medical records from a chiropractor and hospital, but these requests were not made. The case is being remanded for the RO to take appropriate action.

The VA determined that the veteran's chronic acquired low back disorder, identified as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, was not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's requests for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain and mood disorder with depressive features, as the current evaluations are considered appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current spine disorders are not related to his active service and therefore denied the claims for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back injury with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The VA denied the veteran's request for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, which was currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to address the etiology of the veteran's left wrist, low back, and right knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a pulmonary disability, finding that the veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his active service.

The veteran seeks service connection for right ankle injury, low back disorder, and status post lithotomy. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct examinations to determine the nature of any current disorders and their relationship to service.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability was denied. The RO found that the condition did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent from November 6, 2000 to January 9, 2001 and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent from May 1, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic cervical and lumbar spine disabilities with arthritis. The right eye disability issue remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability (thoracic/lumbar spine somatic dysfunction) and denied an initial compensable rating for the veteran's left knee disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The issues of service connection for frostbite of the feet, increased rating for a lumbar spine fracture, and TDIU are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disorders, a low back disorder, and a left knee disorder. The decision also determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen her previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his low back disability and left wrist fracture, as well as service connection for a right wrist condition. The veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his claim for a right wrist condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right ankle disorder or low back disorder related to service, but he was granted service connection for hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded to the RO due to incomplete notification under the VCAA.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury, including arthritis and numbness in the lower extremities, a back disorder, and a heart disorder is being remanded due to scheduling an RO hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to evaluate the veteran's service-connected spinal disorder. The claim will be reviewed de novo after these actions.

The Board found that the reductions in disability ratings for anemia and lumbosacral strain were proper, as there was no evidence of improvement warranting a higher rating. The claim for restoration of the original ratings is denied.