Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

From April 8, 2003 to May 22, 2007, the veteran's PTSD with panic disorder and major depression was rated at 70 percent.,Effective from May 23, 2007, the veteran is entitled to a 100 percent rating for his PTSD with panic disorder and major depression.

The veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for his back disability are being remanded for additional development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from his private healthcare provider.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar strain disability warrants a rating of 10 percent, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection. The current 10 percent rating is maintained as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and right ear hearing loss, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that resulted in chronic disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and will provide further development before making a final decision.

The veteran's low back disability was initially rated at 10 percent from August 29, 2003 to July 12, 2005. From July 13, 2005 onward, the disability has been rated at 40 percent.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected post partial medial meniscectomy of the left knee. The decision also found no direct service connection.

Your appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after further action.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee, back, and bilateral hip disorders. As such, these claims are denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's lower back disability, characterized by degenerative disc disease and arthritis, does not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating than 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing. The issues include seeking increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain, service connection for secondary bilateral hip and knee conditions, and service connection for secondary ankle conditions.

The veteran seeks service connection for a back injury with claimed residual arthritis of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. The Board has determined that an additional examination is needed to determine if his current spinal condition is related to his in-service automobile accidents.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's back disability is related to his service.

The VA determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine does not warrant a higher than 10 percent evaluation, as it did not result in incapacitating episodes or radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine that is attributable to his active military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings, including obtaining missing service records and addressing the veteran's disagreement with his initial rating for lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and an initial rating of 10 percent for chronic epididymo-orchitis, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service. The claim is denied for a higher rating.

The veteran seeks an increased evaluation for his service-connected chronic lumbar syndrome, currently rated at 40 percent. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases in its decision regarding functional loss due to pain.