Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current ankle and back disorders are related to his service-connected bilateral knee disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for esophageal dysomotility and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is incurred in service, while his cervical spine disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was rated at 10 percent effective June 3, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his low back disability was denied, and the issue of entitlement to a TDIU was also denied. The current rating of 40 percent for L4-5 degenerative disc disease remains unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, retropatellar pain syndrome of the right and left knees are being remanded for further evaluation as they continue to worsen.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for his service-connected low back strain with spondylosis and TDIU are also on appeal.

The Veteran's cervical spine disc disease and back disability are found to have begun during his period of active duty, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted an increased rating to 40 percent effective August 8, 2008. He also received separate evaluations for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as a scar associated with back surgery.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a lumbosacral strain and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the reopening of the claim. The effective date remains moot as the grant of service connection is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of records, including SSA disability benefits and private medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his low back disability, finding that it is not related to his active service or his service-connected left sciatica.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and allergic rhinitis, finding that both conditions were manifested to a compensable degree within one year of service separation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current radiculopathy in his lower extremities and finds no evidence of a service-connected disability causing or aggravating this condition. The reduction from a 40 percent rating to a 20 percent rating for lumbar disc disease is denied as there was no material improvement demonstrated.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and missing treatment records.

The Board found no nexus between the Veteran's current back disorder and his military service, including as due to radiation exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and small fiber neuropathy (claimed as peripheral neuropathy) due to herbicide exposure. The decision on the latter issue is pending further action.

The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the August 1994 rating action which granted service connection for a total right hip replacement, and therefore the severance of service connection was improper.