Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected pilonidal sinus did not cause or aggravate his claimed low back disability, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO due to a scheduling error for a Travel Board hearing. The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for low back pain syndrome remains unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his Social Security records. The issues are an increased rating for low back strain and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any spinal disorder found.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues, including lower back disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease, heart condition, hypertension, closed head injury residuals, hepatitis, syncope (fainting), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disability. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran died of malignant melanoma, a condition not service-connected. His death is not considered to be due to any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active duty service and cannot be presumed due to a lack of evidence within one year post-service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board is requesting additional development to determine if the Veteran's left knee and lumbar spine disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, as well as whether these conditions have been caused by his service-connected right knee.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to the RO for further action.

The RO reduced the veteran's rating for lumbosacral strain from 50% to 40%, effective December 1, 2007. The reduction was proper as it complied with procedural requirements and provided adequate notice.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative changes are currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence shows that his symptoms have worsened and he now has a more severe disability. The Board finds an increased rating of 20 percent is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incorrect factual basis regarding the Veteran's post-service employment and a need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of a head trauma and low back disorder were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and procedural issues. The claims for service connection are from the August 1980 and September 1980 rating decisions, which have not been finalized.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with arthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine has been rated at 40 percent since December 31, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection was denied. The claim of a higher initial rating for primary insomnia was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to decision issuance.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disk disease of the lumbosacral spine was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations and proper VCAA notification.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a bilateral shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, or low back disorder and thus service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.