Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability manifested by numbness of either hand/fingers, and the low back strain did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected mechanical low back condition, to include compression fractures at T5 and L1-L2, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, thus denying his claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and whether referral for extraschedular consideration may be warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his Social Security Administration (SSA) records, which may be relevant to the claim on appeal.

The Veteran's multilevel lumbar disc disease was evaluated as 40 percent disabling prior to October 21, 2008. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on additional symptomatology or an extraschedular basis.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including neck and back injuries. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain relevant medical records and personnel files.

The Board found that the Veteran's right foot/ankle fracture and lumbar spine disability were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor are they secondary to a service-connected disorder.

The Veteran's gait apraxia of the bilateral lower extremities is related to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's headaches were characterized by prostrating attacks occurring once per month from January 2007 to May 28, 2009. Since May 29, 2009, his headaches are manifested by frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the lumbar spine has been etiologically related to service, and his claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are related to service. The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration of the evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD). The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records, verify stressor events, and provide additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, inguinal hernias, Achilles tendonitis of the right foot, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, thoracic spine condition, erectile dysfunction, bilateral knee condition, and skin condition (psoriasis, warts, abscesses, cysts) have been reopened. Service connection has not been established for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, a dental condition (claimed as knocked out teeth), and a low back disability have been reopened. However, the evidence does not support granting these claims on the merits.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for lumbar spine spondylolysis and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right lower extremity disorder as secondary to his service-connected pes planus have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records relevant to his disability benefits application.