Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability was granted, and he is now receiving a 20 percent disability rating effective from December 14, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the veteran's current back disability, with neurological impairment of the lower extremities, is related to his VA surgical treatments in June 1983 and February 1984.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain does not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent, as it did not meet the criteria for more severe impairment.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with L5-S1 radiculopathy does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder and left thigh scars do not meet the criteria for service connection or higher ratings, respectively.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability, currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, heart disorder, right shoulder disability, and arthritis have been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board finds that the veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain is likely due to his service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities and any new right wrist issues.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outpatient and inpatient treatment records from VA and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a low back disability or bilateral eye disability due to disease or injury incurred in service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee dislocation and service connection for a back disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation or secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to various issues and claims.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for a Travel Board hearing and further development of the claims.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for a determination of serious employment handicap and additional documents from VA. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claims of service connection for a back disability and left knee disability.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected lumbar strain has been primarily manifested by pain, with no more than a minimal limitation of motion. The disability does not meet or approximate criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied because he failed to report for necessary VA examinations, which were required to evaluate his disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and tumors of the wrists and elbows. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a left knee medial meniscectomy. The reopened claim is now before the RO for further adjudication.