Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, hypertension, and post-traumatic headaches have been dismissed as the veteran withdrew his appeal in January 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine stenosis and a right knee disability, finding no direct evidence of these conditions in service. The skin cancer claims were also denied as there is no evidence they are related to service-connected burn scars.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar paravertebral myositis and bilateral L5-S1 radiculopathy do not warrant a rating higher than the current 40 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The veteran's claims will be reviewed again after all necessary information is obtained.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a right knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability, and also denied an initial compensable rating for residuals of a right ankle fracture. The veteran is not entitled to these benefits.

The VA has determined that the veteran's low back disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of this amount.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for low back disability and found new and material evidence to support this claim. The issues of service connection for left hip and left leg disabilities are also addressed.

The Board found that an earlier effective date prior to September 28, 2000 for the 50% evaluation of PTSD is not warranted. The veteran's claim for increased rating for his low back injury was also denied.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed because his substantive appeal to the Board with regard to an application to reopen a claim for service connection for back disability, and claims for increased ratings for residuals of an incision affecting the 11th and 12th intercostal nerves, and residuals of nephrolithiasis with a partial left nephrectomy and right pyelolithotomy was not filed within one year of notification of the initial rating decision or within 60 days of the statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing and will return it to the Board for further action if necessary.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of revised rating criteria.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis and awarded a 100% evaluation for hypertension. The other issues were either withdrawn or dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for a chronic lumbar paravertebral muscle myositis, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and ensuring compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his service-connected avulsion fracture, left distal fibula with avulsion of the lateral talofibular ligament and service connection for a low back disability and right hip disability were denied. The RO continued a noncompensable evaluation for the veteran's service-connected avulsion fracture, left distal fibula with avulsion of the lateral talofibular ligament.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including notification and examination.

The veteran's combined disability rating is in excess of 70 percent, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disorder during service and concluded that the current condition is not related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.