Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability was granted effective February 17, 2009. The initial evaluation assigned is 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's left inguinal hernia was aggravated during service and granted service connection for residuals of a left inguinal hernia. The upper back disorder is not considered to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for herniation of the lumbar spine at L4-5 and awarded a disability rating of 40 percent effective July 10, 2003. The Veteran's chronic low back strain with degenerative arthritic changes of the lumbar spine is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, left knee, and lumbar spine disorders have been remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining records from 'L&I' and Western State Mental Hospital.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disorder and found that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's current low back condition is being evaluated to determine if it is related to his in-service duties as a paratrooper.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and left lower radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a right ankle disorder is granted. However, the Board finds that additional development of evidence is required before addressing the merits of his service connection claim.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current symptomatology of the Veteran's lumbar scar, as well as its size and function. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the nature and etiology of his respiratory disorder, back disorder, and hip disorder. The claims file must be reviewed in conjunction with these examinations.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and lumbar myositis are service-connected. The left knee disability is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional treatment records and provide him with a new VA examination for his low back strain. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service, and therefore, he does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lumbosacral spine disability, finding that his current condition was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability caused his current degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine and right knee, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine and right upper extremity disabilities are not considered to be related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of verified stressor. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability rating remains at 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and VA treatment records.

The VA determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities, including osteomyelitis and amputation of the leg.