Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and a right clavicle condition, finding that there is insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the requirements for these benefits due to his severe disability but lack of actual need for regular aid and assistance.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The claim to reopen a right eye disorder was not granted as no new and material evidence was submitted. Claims for lumbar strain, hand disorder due to chemicals exposure, and hemorrhoids with anal fissure were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee, right knee (secondary to left knee), and back disabilities are not related to his military service.

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

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disorder and bilateral radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of outstanding medical records.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disorder and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder, cervical spine disorder, and bilateral hand arthritis are all service-connected. The back disorder is directly related to an in-service injury, the cervical spine disorder is secondary to a service-connected head injury, and the bilateral hand arthritis is not service-connected but may be secondary to a service-connected left elbow fracture.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right knee instability and degenerative disc disease (DDD) L5-S1 have been denied. The RO has assigned separate ratings for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability in July 1987, finding that the evidence did not support such a claim and that no new material evidence had been submitted. The motion to revise this decision due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was denied.

The Board found no evidence of a direct service connection for the veteran's lumbar spine issues and denied both his secondary service connection claim and his request for an increased rating.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc and joint disease, has been manifested by low back pain, numbness in the lower extremities, and limitation of motion. The RO denied an initial rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board denied entitlement to an increased rating for a lumbar spine injury on an extraschedular basis and remanded the issue of TDIU. The administrative review decision by the VA Director of Compensation and Pension Service denied both issues.

The veteran's DDD at L5-S1 was rated as 20 percent disabling effective September 10, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed low back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, or neck disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's burn scar of the lumbar back is rated at 30 percent, and his claim for an increased rating was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.