Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and schedule the veteran for VA examinations.

The veteran's lumbosacral disability is primarily manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 20 degrees, with no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, low back, and lower right leg and ankle disabilities as there was no evidence that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, but granted service connection for a low back disorder.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected spine conditions are being remanded for further development, including a complete neurological and orthopedic examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for his low back disability, status post back injury with L4-5 DDD with herniation.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbar strain is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing.

The appellant's PTSD disability was rated at 50 percent, while the lumbar spine and left knee disabilities did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The case was remanded for further development to include a medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any current back and cervical spine disorders.

The Board denied service connection for a dental condition, bilateral knee conditions, Paget's disease, hearing loss, and back and neck conditions as no new and material evidence was presented to reopen the claim or sufficient evidence linking any of these conditions to military service was provided.

The veteran's residuals of a right thumb fracture are rated at 10 percent, and his claim for service connection for a back disorder has been reopened.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, neck condition, headaches, and sleep apnea as there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a herniated nucleus pulposus of the cervical spine with radiculopathy and a herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbosacral spine with radiculopathy as they were not shown to be related to an injury or disease incurred in service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and back disorder were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claims. The claim for PTSD was remanded for further development.

The appeal is remanded for further development, including the scheduling of a proper VA examination and obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's attempts to reopen claims for service connection for a back disorder and left ankle disorder, as new and material evidence was not presented.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding no evidence of a causal relationship to the veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen service connection for residuals of a low back injury, as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease was rated at 60 percent for accrued benefits purposes, as the severity of his disability most closely approximated pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome.