Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's pes planus was not aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection. The back condition is also denied as it is not proximately due to, caused by, or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran did not suffer from gunshot wound residuals of the right shoulder, a neck disability, or a low back strain during service. The skin disorder was also not linked to exposure to Agent Orange. As such, the claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and left toe disorder, finding no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus and therefore denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and lumbar spine condition have been granted service connection. The anxiety disorder is linked to his in-service mental health symptoms, while the lumbar spine condition is considered secondary to his right foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back disorder is incurred in and caused by his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board is remanding the case to provide proper VCAA notice and to determine if there is new and material evidence for reopening claims of service connection for neck and back disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, is related to active service and the claim for this condition is granted. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for a low back disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not proximately due to or the result of her service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and obtaining medical records. The claim will be reviewed to determine if an increased disability rating is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and mechanical back syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, including from her VA care providers.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic lumbar strain has been granted, with a current evaluation of 40 percent. The Tinnitus issue is reopened but no new evidence was provided to warrant service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review.