Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine. The Board finds that additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and private medical records, is needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbosacral strain was denied by the RO. The RO found that the Veteran's condition did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including those from Social Security Administration and VA Vocational Rehabilitation Education.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA spine examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, claimed as herniated lumbar disc disease with left leg radiculopathy, is denied because there is no medical evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to June 4, 2002 and denied an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Forsyth Medical Center on September 8, 2007 was denied as the treatment did not meet the criteria set forth in 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist, specifically obtaining VA treatment records from the VAMC in Albuquerque related to the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current back disorder, shoulder disorder, or hypertension that is related to service. The claims for these disabilities are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and found that the Veteran's current condition is due to his inservice injury. The issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral pes planus remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and lumbosacral strain have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence, resulting in denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has reopened the claims but continues to deny them on the merits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, and his claim for automobile and adaptive equipment is also denied.

The Veteran's back disability is not service-connected, and his right and left hip disabilities are currently evaluated at the lowest possible rating due to their limited range of motion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, left hip disability, and phlebitis of the right leg were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was initially rated as non-compensable and later increased to 10 percent effective June 20, 2000. The Board found that the evidence supported a 10 percent rating for the period prior to June 20, 2000 and a 10 percent rating for the period beginning on June 20, 2000.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.