Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is at least as likely as not etiologically related to his active service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability aggravated his non-service-connected back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder with arthritis of the spine is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's mechanical low back condition, including compression fractures at T5 and L1-L2, results in a 40 percent disability rating for orthopedic manifestations. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a 20 percent disability rating each for moderate incomplete paralysis of the right femoral nerve, left femoral nerve, right deep peroneal nerve, and left deep peroneal nerve. Additionally, he is granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back disorder, to include degenerative joint disease, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% from November 15, 2002 to December 15, 2008. The low back disability is also rated at 50%. Both conditions meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and residuals of a head injury, including headaches, are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development. He needs VA examinations for prostatitis, lumbar spine condition, and right wrist condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine the nature and severity of her back disability, as well as her left leg disability. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new information received from Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding the Veteran's SSI benefits. The VA must secure any relevant SSA records and re-adjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations to assess her current disabilities.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD due to in-service sexual assault. The low back disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various back and leg disabilities, including degenerative arthritis with spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the Veteran's service-connected left leg length discrepancy should be November 19, 2004.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability and found that new and material evidence had been presented. The Veteran's scar on left side of his neck was not present in service or for many years thereafter, and is not etiologically related to service. The criteria for a compensable evaluation for an umbilical hernia have not been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, specifically to obtain a VA examination and opinion concerning whether his low back disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with a bulging disc at L4-5 and scoliosis were denied. The Board found that from June 26, 2003 to September 2, 2009, he did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, and on or after September 2, 2009, he did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.