Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar disc disease, L5-S1 and arthritis of the hips as secondary to residuals of arthrodesis, left ankle. Service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased rating for post-concussion cephalgia, service connection for dementia due to head trauma, and service connection for a low back disability. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of lumbar and thoracic spine warrants a 20 percent disability rating, effective October 18, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and type II diabetes mellitus are on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent effective June 14, 2007. The claim for an earlier effective date is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, right hip disability, and left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right femur and lower back disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated as noncompensable under DC 5237, effective after September 26, 2003. The RO increased the rating to 10 percent in October 2004 and granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. In August 2008, the RO granted a 20 percent rating based on additional functional loss due to pain.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the appellant's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral strain, bilateral hip disorder, and right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination and the acquisition of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disorder and depression were denied, while his claim for an increased evaluation for urticaria with hives and pruritis was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the previously denied claim for service connection of a low back disorder or warranting an increase in the evaluation for urticaria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, including degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, is due to an injury sustained in service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and lumbosacral spine disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need for a new VA examination.

The appellant claims compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for injuries to the right shoulder, right hip, right shin and low back resulting from a fall in an elevator at VA facilities. The Board has determined that further examination is needed due to potential complications such as deep vein thrombosis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a low back disability on both schedular and extraschedular bases is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, notification compliance with VCAA requirements, and consideration of Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spasms of the erector spinal muscles was granted, effective November 30, 2004. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to recent relevant treatment records not being associated with the claims file.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a low back condition and did not grant any of the issues related to conversion disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.