Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for chronic cervical spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, chronic right elbow degenerative joint disease, and chronic left elbow tendonitis, strain, and degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's claims were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and needs further development before service connection for low back disability can be decided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed arthritis disabilities.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on August 31, 2006 at St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo were not reimbursable due to lack of prior authorization and the fact that VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and additional medical records, as the current evidence does not reflect his current state of disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, chondromalacia of the left knee, and inguinal hernia were denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a travel board hearing at the local RO in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional development.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability results in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine no less than 40 degrees and does not result in ankylosis. Therefore, a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, including arthritis and degenerative disc disease, is currently rated at 40 percent. The appeal seeks an increased rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder is unrelated to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including testicular torsion residuals, chest pain, cold injury to the face and extremities, low back disorder, conjunctivitis residuals, and left hand disorder. The decision found no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional evidence from SSA.

The Veteran's service-connected post-operative degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, but he contends that his disability warrants a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, unclear nature of his claimed conditions, and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing and further development.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II were denied prior to April 9, 2008. From April 9, 2008, forward, the Veteran was granted a 20% rating.,From May 23, 2008, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cancer of the lumbosacral spine and arthritis of multiple joints were both denied. The loss of bilateral great toenails was also not found to be related to service.,Service connection for cancer of the lumbosacral spine was denied as it is not due to or aggravated by his service-connected prostate cancer. Service connection for arthritis of multiple joints was denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred in service.,The Veteran's loss of bilateral great toenails was also denied, with no indication that it was related to service.