Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The veteran's low back disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The case is remanded to obtain additional evidence relevant to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including a new VA examination.

The veteran's service connection for residuals of a low back injury was granted, while the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder with somatic features and for service connection for residuals of a hip injury were denied.

The veteran's claim for a rating higher than 60 percent for impaired sphincter control and the issue of entitlement to SMC by reason of being housebound are remanded for additional development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for PTSD and a low back disability, but denied service connection for disabilities of the cervical and thoracic spine.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine and bilateral knee disability as there was no evidence of chronicity during active service, no evidence of arthritis to any degree within the first year following service, and no competent medical evidence that linked the current back or knee disorders to service.

The appeal is remanded for additional evidentiary development.

The Board found that an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for DDD of the cervical spine prior to December 3, 2002, and in excess of 20 percent since December 3, 2002, was not warranted.

The Board remanded the case to the RO for additional development of the record.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's low back, right hip, and right knee disabilities as they were not related to his active military service or any incident thereof, including his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for a back and neck disability as additional development is required.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for a low back disability was denied as the only valid application to reopen his previously denied claim was received on March 13, 2000.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, left knee disorder, and blood clots of the left lower extremity as there was no evidence to support that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board remands the case for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's back disability.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition and a psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a neck disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for a low back disability, and that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current neck disability.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for a low back disability, as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or acute signs and symptoms requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, and the claim for a low back disability was denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between the current condition and active service.

The Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for the prosthetic right knee effective September 1, 2001, but higher ratings are not warranted for other conditions.