Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board found no evidence of vertigo or DDD and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine during service, and there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a connection between these conditions and service. The Veteran's current back condition was not shown during service or for years thereafter.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his military service, specifically an ankle injury. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of information regarding neurological manifestations associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA medical records and considering the effects of his service-connected disabilities on his activities. The case will be readjudicated in light of any new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a low back injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's atrial fibrillation/flutter is not secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a low back disorder as related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, coronary artery disease, and hypertension. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have not been found to be related to service.

The Veteran's DM with retinopathy, cataracts, and proteinuria is currently rated at 10% disabling. The Board denied an increased rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine were denied in an October 2009 Board decision. The case is now being remanded due to new evidence received after the decision.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his degenerative disc disease with posterior disc extrusions at L5 was denied. The initial rating of 20 percent prior to September 14, 2009, and the subsequent increase to 40 percent beginning on that date were both denied.

The Veteran's lumbar paravertebral muscle fibromyositis was shown to be manifested by severe limitation of motion prior to May 22, 2009, warranting a 40 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as providing an examination to determine the etiology of his back disorder.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a lumbar spine disability resulting from VA back surgery performed in August 2002. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and an opinion regarding causation, is necessary.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was rated at 50 percent since October 1, 2005.,For the cervical spine disability, a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted. The Veteran has forward flexion limited to 20 degrees and lateral flexion limited to 15 degrees on each side.,The lumbar spondylosis with degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent prior to August 3, 2006; a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted from that date onwards. The Veteran's range of motion has been limited due to pain on motion.,Right shoulder tendonitis was rated at 10 percent prior to November 1, 2007 and thereafter. The Veteran had right arm range of motion restricted to shoulder level due to pain on motion.,Left wrist tendonitis (residual of a left wrist injury) is service connected.,No residuals of the left foot injury are service connected.,Erectile dysfunction was service connected, but no compensable rating is warranted.,Varicocelectomy is not service connected.,Right index finger fracture and left index finger fracture were not service connected.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings have been remanded due to missed VA examinations and the need to obtain updated medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's increased rating claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar, dorsal, and cervical spines. The claim to reopen service connection for a left shoulder disability was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed lumbar spine, left shoulder, and right hand disabilities are not service-connected. The psychiatric disability is also denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or link to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back injury is related to his first period of service and whether any pre-existing pain was aggravated by service.