Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2008

The veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not warrant a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if any of the veteran's claimed disabilities are related to his service-connected right knee disorder and whether referral is warranted for an extraschedular evaluation.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that his disability was manifested by moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current back disorder and right shoulder injury are related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for the veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, effective as of April 1, 2005.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar myositis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and VCAA compliance.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and to schedule a hearing before the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder warrants a compensable disability rating of 10 percent effective from August 24, 2005.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal due to receiving higher ratings for his right hip bursitis and low back strain.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the veteran's low back disability is related to service and to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature of her current low back disability.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar disc and joint disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is it related to his service-connected lumbar myositis. The claim for a compensable rating for lumbar myositis was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with right radiculopathy, headaches, and a visual disability. The veteran's lumbar spine disorder is related to his military service, as are his headaches. His visual impairment was noted in service but is not considered service-connected due to its congenital nature.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability with left sided paralysis, as there is no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The veteran's cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each. The RO has denied the claims for higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for sclerotic neck condition, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, migraine headaches, and eczema were denied. The conditions are rated at the lowest available rating of 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by a pulmonary embolism resulting from a hip fracture, which in turn was caused by his service-connected knee and foot disabilities. As such, the appeal for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The veteran's low back and right leg radicular pain were rated at 20 percent prior to June 27, 2006, and increased to 40 percent as of that date.