Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a need for regular aid and attendance, which is sufficient to grant special monthly compensation based on this condition.

The Veteran's claim for VA medical treatment without payment is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate her service connection claims and other pending claims related to her disabilities.

The Veteran seeks service connection for low back injury residuals, which he claims were incurred in a motorcycle accident during military service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his current low back disability and its relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the evidence, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as the current severity of his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for a low back disorder and ulcers, finding no probative evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

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

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's degenerative disc disease and whether it is related to service, including back injuries sustained during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical records and a request for representation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and schizophrenia. The claim will be denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The appeals are not about service connection, but rather the evaluation of his heart disease and back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to destruction of service medical records and the Veteran's reports of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to consider relevant medical records and the Veteran's statements regarding his back pain prior to 2002. Additional VA and private treatment records are needed, as well as an examination of the Veteran's low back.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is more likely due to aging and overuse, rather than service-connected knee conditions. The condition was not aggravated by his in-service knee problems.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of hypertension, but did not address the other issues.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for instability of the Veteran's right knee, effective July 2005.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, shaving bumps, a skin condition manifested by a rash on the foot, and a stomach condition, status post colon surgery.

The Board finds that there is competent and probative medical evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability and service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability with bilateral polyneuropathy has been rated at 60 percent since July 6, 1999. The rating is maintained as the evidence does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation under other applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for DDD of the lumbar spine prior to February 4, 2009 was denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation based on limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes. For the period since February 4, 2009, the Veteran's claim for GERD service connection was remanded.