Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service connection claims for right leg radiculopathy, bilateral knee disorders, bilateral ankle disorders, and upper back disorder are granted. The Veteran currently has a diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy with respect to his complaints of right leg pain, which is related to active military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, but additional development is required to determine if the claim should be granted on the merits and whether the neck disorder claim should proceed on a secondary causation basis. The VA will obtain relevant medical records from SSA and any other healthcare providers identified by the Veteran.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disability, but his service treatment records are unavailable due to a fire. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining SSA records and private medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a low back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current lower back condition is related to an injury in service. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA orthopedic examination.

The Board has remanded the claims due to procedural issues and the need for further evidentiary development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on four separate conditions have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's headaches are secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee and bilateral hip disabilities are secondary to his service-connected low back disability, while his right hand disability is aggravated by combat operations during the Panama conflict.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining military records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability is being reviewed.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the Veteran's service medical records, including those from Camp Pendleton and San Diego Naval Hospital. The Veteran is entitled to a new determination on his claim for service connection for a chronic lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA opinion on his employability and whether he meets the criteria for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his service-connected bilateral feet disabilities, and whether it was caused or aggravated by those disabilities. The claim will be readjudicated after obtaining any necessary records.

The Veteran's COPD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have been granted service connection, with COPD linked to smoking and nicotine dependence that began during service. Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is also granted as it is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for joint pain other than in the left ankle and a skin disability were denied as they are not supported by evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that led to current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for another VA examination to assess her employability due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left patellofemoral syndrome does not cause or permanently aggravate her low back disorder, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was incurred during active service and granted service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted with initial ratings of 10 percent prior to January 8, 2008 and increased to 40 percent after that date. He also received separate 10 percent ratings for radiculopathy affecting his lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The issues of reopening service connection for a right leg disability, left leg disability, and bilateral hip disability were also addressed but no specific decision is provided.