Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The veteran's request for additional vocational rehabilitation training was denied because he did not meet the requirements outlined in the regulations for reentrance into rehabilitation after being rehabilitated.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate evidence regarding whether the veteran's current low back disability is related to his active military service. The veteran needs to provide medical records from private health care providers and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of whether the veteran wants a hearing before the RO or a traveling Veterans Law Judge at the Boston RO, and scheduling such requested hearing.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, and his lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 40 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee condition and service connection for a lower back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with minimal spur and degenerative disc disease (DDD) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder needs further development and is therefore being remanded to the RO.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore denied his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records from Georgia Baptist Hospital and to provide proper VCAA notice regarding the reopening of a claim for service connection for residuals of umbilical hernia.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, but the veteran's claim of Hepatitis C remains pending.

The veteran's appeal is for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability, which was initially granted with a 10 percent disability rating and later increased to 20 percent. The RO has now remanded the case due to procedural issues.

The veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and reopening of service connection claims were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to special monthly compensation based on a need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities of the lumbar spine, knees, and ankles.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to service connection for a back disability, but not for urethral stricture.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current shoulder, wrist, and lumbar spine conditions to his military service. The absence of medical records from service is not considered a fault of the veteran.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability has been rated at 40 percent since September 23, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran's current cervical spine disability is not related to his military service, including a motor vehicle accident in May 1963. The evidence does not show any injury or aggravation of an existing condition during service.

The veteran's low back strain is rated at 20 percent prior to August 23, 2005 and at 40 percent from that date forward. His neck strain remains at 20 percent.

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