Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service records do not show any diagnosed conditions related to his claimed disabilities. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a right shoulder disability, left hand disability, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disorder, or short-term memory loss that were incurred in or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, right hip, and right shoulder as secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected spondylolysis of the lumbosacral spine does not warrant a schedular rating in excess of 20 percent, but granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for numbness in each lower extremity due to the disability.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for a low back disorder and service connection for cold injury residuals are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and a strain of the erector spinal muscle group of the right lumbar region, are sufficient to preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for a low back disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and effective dates, finding that service connection had already been granted prior to February 27, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease was denied. The Board found that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and cannot be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and right knee meniscectomy residuals, but finds that there is no evidence to support these conditions being related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability has been denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes sufficient to warrant a higher evaluation under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for additional disability resulting from VA surgery, and thus denied his claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports her current psychiatric disabilities, which are likely related to in-service stressors and domestic abuse.

The Board has granted a motion to reschedule the Veteran's hearing at the RO in Montgomery, Alabama due to her failure to appear for a previously scheduled hearing. The case is now REMANDED for scheduling a Travel Board hearing.