Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disorder, characterized by moderate limitation of motion, has been rated at 20 percent since May 17, 2002. The current rating is the maximum available under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spines have been denied. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of the disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's low back disability was aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and EMG/nerve conduction studies.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar and cervical spine was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor is it proximately due to or chronically worsened by his service-connected residuals of a right foot fracture.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and clarifying the Veteran's periods of active duty.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no evidence of a back disability during service, and the Veteran's current back condition is not shown to be related to his active duty. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to inadequate examination and failure to consider pain during range of motion testing.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations, as well as obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's recurrent kidney stones are service connected. However, his back disability is not service connected as it does not appear to be related to an injury in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate evidence and a need for further development of the facts pertinent to the claim.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder. The Board has determined that additional evidence is necessary to make a determination, including obtaining private treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 and service connection for right ankle, back, and left hip disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and conduct a medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board Hearing at the RO. The issues include seeking higher disability ratings and TDIU.