Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his right knee disorders and any associated low back disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, as well as bilateral shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition and heart murmur, finding no current disability from these conditions. The veteran's contentions of chronic symptoms were not sufficient to establish a link with service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for residuals of a lumbar spine injury with degenerative disc disease effective January 31, 2005. The veteran's claim for an increased rating remains in appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability that is proximately due to or the result of a service-connected right knee disability. The claim for an increased rating for postoperative residuals of a fracture of the right patella and limitation of motion, residuals of a right patella fracture remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical examination and opinion regarding whether the veteran's current low back and neck disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be reached on the merits of the veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and degenerative joint disease, finding that there is no competent medical evidence establishing current disability or a link to service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disorder is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking his current condition to his in-service injury. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and right hand fracture will be remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and a compensable evaluation for pilonidal cystectomy scar. The issues regarding nerve damage due to spinal block, bilateral leg disability, and the compensable evaluation for pilonidal cystectomy scar are remanded.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to incomplete development of records, including VA treatment records and a VA examination. The veteran is requested to provide any additional evidence in his possession.

The veteran's cervical and lumbar degenerative disc disease have not resulted in more than moderate intervertebral disc syndrome or severe limitation of motion, respectively. Therefore, the claims for increased evaluations are granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to a need for medical examination and opinion regarding service connection claims.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current back disorder to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back condition based on new and material evidence. However, further development is needed to determine if the current back disability is related to service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the appellant's current left ankle and back disorders and his active service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The VA determined that the veteran's low back disability does not meet the criteria for an initial rating higher than 20 percent, as it did not cause severe limitation of motion in the thoracolumbar segment or incapacitating episodes.