Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected mechanical low back pain is being remanded due to procedural defects and the need for a current VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a psychiatric condition (to include post-traumatic stress disorder), as well as his claim for basic eligibility for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits. The issues were remanded to the RO, but further action has not been taken on these matters.

The Board has reviewed evidence submitted since the September 1992 RO decision and finds that it does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims of service connection for asthma and residuals of a low back injury. As such, new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was initially rated at 10 percent prior to December 1998, and then increased to 20 percent effective in December 1998. A separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radicular neuropathy from March 22, 2004, was established. The veteran's disability picture did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 40 percent for spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine with degenerative disc disease and arthritis is being remanded due to new evidence received after the most recent supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and due process concerns, including obtaining an opinion on whether current ankle, knee, or back disabilities are aggravated by service-connected traumatic arthritis of the great toes.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for tinnitus, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and back disorder. The claim of service connection for hepatitis C is pending and will be remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis affecting his cervical and lumbosacral spines, knees, and ankles as secondary to his service-connected burn scars. The veteran was also denied increased ratings for his third degree burn scars of the posterior left lower extremity, right lower extremity, and chest/back area.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review it.

The veteran's lumbar strain and right wrist disorder have been evaluated at the 10 percent level, with no higher evaluations granted. The right great toe disorder has received a compensable evaluation.,Service connection for bronchitis was not established.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for lumbosacral strain due to a lack of current diagnosis and no evidence linking her current disability to an in-service injury or disease.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine disorders. The veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to March 2, 2005, with a staged increase to 70 percent thereafter.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has remanded the case to the RO for additional examination and development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a neurological and orthopedic examination. The BVA is seeking further information from the veteran regarding his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia is service-connected, and he does not have flat feet, a low back disorder, a vision disorder, a throat disorder, a left side injury, or a bilateral ankle disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability and a back disability. The decision found no evidence linking these disabilities to service or service-connected conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the etiology of his back and stomach disorders.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted by the veteran, including private treatment records from Dr. Reineck and Social Security disability records. The evidence does not establish a direct link between the veteran's current back disability and his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The appeals are all based on reopening of previously denied claims, and the issues involve new evidence.