Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board found insufficient evidence of a chronic low back disorder including IVDS during service or of arthritis in the low back within one year after service, and there is no probative medical evidence against a link between the Veteran's current low back disorder and his period of active military service. The Veteran's lay assertions regarding continuity of symptomatology are not credible.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee medial meniscus tear and degenerative joint disease, left foot metatarsalgia and third metatarsal head disorder, cervical spine spondylosis, and lumbar spine spondylosis are all related to service. The decision is based on a review of the Veteran's medical history and examination findings.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder had its onset in service or is related to his military service. The claim will be reconsidered based on the results of this examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and left knee disorder, as well as his request for an effective date prior to December 4, 2002, for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's claim for increased rating for PTSD was also denied, and he was not granted TDIU based on service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total rating for pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, records review, and reconsideration of his disability ratings under the Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's current disabilities with service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

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

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disorder has been aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorder and grants service connection for this condition as secondary to the right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left hip disability and low back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA and Workmen's Compensation records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not resulted in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months, thus preventing her from receiving a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for migraine headaches due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The case is remanded for further development regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability, as well as for evaluations of the Veteran's low back and left ankle/heel disabilities.

The Board has ordered the RO to attempt to obtain medical records from the Vancouver VAMC and Sierra Nevada HCS for the Veteran. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for a left hand condition, as well as back condition. Tinnitus is found to be related to active service. The left hand condition is not considered secondary to the right leg fracture.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the nature and etiology of her low back disability and bilateral femur and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected scars on the dorsum of the left hand and on the right wrist over the distal radius do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Parris Island and Camp LeJeune, as well as any private treatment records. The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a low back disorder will be reconsidered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for thoracolumbar spine spondylosis and degenerative disc disease with disc herniation and nerve compression at L4-5, diabetes mellitus, and a left foot condition. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.