Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed back disorder is not related to military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the Veteran's low back, bilateral hip, right knee, and left ankle disabilities are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for bilateral pes planus, bunions, and a low back disability. The Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations to determine the etiology of his low back disorder, recurrent right ear infections, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional records and further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected osteoporosis and arthritis, as well as a determination on whether her current arthritis is related to her service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and cervical disc disease with radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims for a right knee disability and neck disability are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues, including service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability, increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, and initial ratings for tinnitus and cervicogenic headaches. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to April 4, 2009, and 20 percent since then.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are necessary to properly evaluate the appellant's service-connected low back and foot disabilities, as well as to determine if separate disability ratings for her right and left foot conditions are warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and secondary service connection claims were denied. The Board found that the right great toe hallux rigidus did not meet criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent, as there was no evidence of claw foot or hammer toes.

The Veteran's cervical spine disabilities are being remanded for further examination and development due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine conditions, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hearing loss, dacrycocystitis, and other conditions, are of such severity that they preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service and the back disorder is related to service. The Board granted service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling medical examinations to address the nature and etiology of any current back and/or headache disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability within one year after separation from service or any link to service. The Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is attributed to post-service work-related injuries.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran and to obtain a VA spine examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder was not incurred in or otherwise the result of his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current residuals of an inservice head injury or back injury, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.