Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The appeal is remanded for a VA examination and opinion to determine whether the veteran's current sleep disorder may be related to service, as well as review of additional evidence received from the veteran.

The Board remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for a kidney disorder and a back disorder for further development, as the most recent VA examination did not comply with the prior remand instructions.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and spondylosis was rated as 20 percent disabling due to moderate limitation of motion with tenderness and spasm in the paraspinous muscles.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development as per the Court's order.

The veteran's disabilities, while significant, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board finds that the competent medical evidence supports a disability rating of 40 percent for the veteran's arthritis of the lumbosacral spine.

The appeal is remanded for a new examination to determine the current severity of the veteran's service-connected low back disability, distinguishing symptoms attributable to the service-connected condition from non-service connected disorders.

The Board remands the claim for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental medical opinion and records from SSA.

The veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities were each granted a rating of 20 percent, but no more, for the entire appeal period.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause, and the evidence of record does not support higher ratings.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a back disability, as there was no evidence of a chronic back disability related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for chronic low back, right knee, bilateral ankle, and bilateral hip disabilities as they were not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spondylosis, and residuals of head injury. The claim to reopen a previously denied left knee disorder was also denied.

The veteran's PTSD is not shown to be more severe than the currently assigned 50 percent rating, and his back disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating.

The claim for service connection for a left ear disability is reopened, but the merits of the claim are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability but denied increased ratings for the back and hearing loss disabilities.

The veteran meets the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment due to service-connected disabilities affecting his lower extremities.

The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any of the veteran's claimed conditions are related to service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a sleep disorder secondary to the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder with scoliosis, as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic symptoms, and no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for an abdominal disorder and entitlement to an extraschedular evaluation for a service-connected low back strain with degenerative changes due to insufficient development and notice, as well as to provide additional evidence.