Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, effective January 12, 1999. The veteran's claim was reopened based on new and material evidence submitted in conjunction with his application to reopen the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's lumbosacral strain. The claim will be reconsidered under both the former and revised applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims will be adjudicated based on the new criteria effective September 26, 2003.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of secondary service connection for a back disorder, but finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim as his current back condition is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as there is insufficient medical evidence to definitively establish the nature of his current condition and its relationship to active service. The RO must arrange for an orthopedic examination at an appropriate VA facility.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and residuals of cold injury to the feet. The veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and Social Security Administration records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinea versicolor, right knee disability, residuals of a nerve laceration along the radial aspect of the left index finger, back disability, and chronic headache disability. The RO granted service connection for coronary artery disease, left knee medial meniscal tear, traumatic arthritis of the right acromioclavicular joint, residuals of an arthrotomy of the first metatarsophalangeal joints of each foot with joint debridement for hallux limitus and degenerative joint disease, hemorrhoids, and anal fissure. The RO also denied entitlement to initial compensable disability ratings for these conditions.

The Board is reopening the claim based on new and material evidence. However, further development is needed before making a decision on the merits of the service connection claim.

The veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1, with chronic low back pain, was granted a 40 percent disability rating effective October 10, 2002. His right and left wrist carpal tunnel syndromes were each assigned noncompensable ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, right shoulder impingement, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, status post foraminotomy and diskectomy, lumbar strain, degenerative arthritis of the hands, and degenerative arthritis of the knees, are related to service. The Board has granted these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to VCAA notice deficiencies.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have PTSD, and there is no evidence of current disabilities involving shrapnel wounds or scarring to the right knee, upper lip and sinus. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

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

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current back disorder to his military service and concluded that it was related to a post-service work-related injury.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA medical examination to assess the current severity of her low back disorder and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current low back or cervical spine disorder, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for chronic low back disability, finding that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim but concluding that there was no current chronic low back disability related to service.

The veteran's cervical spine disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, effective from December 1994. His lumbar spine disorder has been increased to a 20 percent rating since the same date.