Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease are being remanded to the RO due to procedural issues. The erectile dysfunction claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine if the veteran currently has lumbar spine and right knee disabilities that are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and low back disability, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the latter claim.

The Board has granted service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood as secondary to the veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar paravertebral spasm is also granted.

The veteran's claim for reopening his lumbar spine disorder was granted, and he received a 50% evaluation for PTSD.,PTSD is currently rated at 70%, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service medical records and the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed back disorder found to be present.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's current lumbar spine pathology is not related to back complaints noted in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and compensation for cervical spine disc disease with arachnoiditis was denied.,The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 60 percent rating for post-operative residuals of herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1, with lumbar arachnoiditis was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability was incurred during active service and meets the basic eligibility requirements for pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current low back disability is as likely as not attributable to his service. The appeal will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and hypertension. The vagus valve nerve disorder claim is remanded due to missing service medical records.

The Board found no evidence of a back disorder in service or within one year after discharge, and concluded that the current back disorder is not related to military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, right foot, and low back disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder strain and low back condition are not caused by or a result of VA training and rehabilitation services, thus denying his claims under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a disability manifested by back pain that was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a psychiatric examination.