Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound scar to the right flank does not warrant a compensable rating, and his low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic low back disability based on new medical evidence, but denied the tinnitus claim. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others were not.

The veteran's partial tear of the left peroneus brevis tendon and chronic lumbar strain are currently rated at 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively. The Board denied her requests for higher initial evaluations.

The veteran's low back, right knee, and right ankle disorders were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete VCAA notice and need for updated medical records. The veteran's claims of service connection and increased ratings are pending.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to obtain additional medical records. The case will be reviewed again after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying service dates. The veteran's low back disorder is to be examined by VA to determine its etiology.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to missing records from SSA and Workers' Compensation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for effective dates and service connection, finding that no earlier effective dates were warranted based on the evidence of record. The veteran's arthritis and diabetes mellitus are presumed to be related to his military service due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran seeks service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, which he claims is related to a back injury sustained during service. The claim is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current low back disability is related to his in-service injury.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining medical records and providing appropriate VCAA notice.

The Board found that the veteran's back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a statement from Dr. Kaya and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for a back disability on December 4, 2005 are approved as the treatment was deemed necessary due to an emergent condition and no feasible VA facility was available.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is being remanded due to issues related to the extent and nature of his disability, including whether there are separate symptomatology from that associated with the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient examination and lack of proper nexus opinion regarding service connection for back and knee disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus granting service connection for a back disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar radiculitis with herniated disc at L5-S1 warrants a single 40 percent disability rating from May 16, 2005. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is separately rated as 10 percent.