Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the evidence received since the February 1993 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions, including exposure to asbestos and combat stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing before the Board, and the appeal is returned to the Board once this is accomplished.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 40 percent from August 27, 2002 through March 15, 2004. The Board has now granted a 60 percent rating for this period.

The Veteran's appeal involves three issues: an initial evaluation for back strain, status post lumbar fusion, from July 20, 2005 to January 22, 2007; a higher evaluation after that date; and TDIU. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including his low back disability. The claim for a higher rating for the low back disability will also be considered.

The Board found that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine resulted from his in-service injuries and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back problems are not related to his military service, and thus service connection is denied for all claimed spinal disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are related to his active military service, including an in-service motor vehicle accident. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a back disorder due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examination reports and the Veteran's request for a travel board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records, particularly regarding sick call logs and medical records from Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The Veteran's unit assignment is unclear, and further inquiries are needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for her service-connected right knee disorder and denied her claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorder and low back disorder.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability and assigned an initial rating of 30 percent effective December 13, 2001. The claim for bilateral shoulder disabilities was also granted with the same effective date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective November 30, 2005. The claim for service connection for tinnitus has an effective date of November 30, 2005. A TDIU rating was granted effective March 31, 2000.

The Veteran's lower back disability was granted service connection and rated at 20 percent effective December 19, 2008.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses in his medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a back disability. The Veteran was exposed to combat-related stressors during his deployment in Saudi Arabia. His claims are granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. A 100% evaluation is assigned for CFS.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a low back disorder due to conflicting medical evidence. The case is being returned to the RO/AMC for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations.