Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining records of North Carolina disability benefits and a VA pulmonary examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to the Veteran's request. The appeal is also remanded for determining whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for generalized arthritis.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for post-operative residuals of the left medial meniscus was denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of compensable limitation of motion or painful motion, and thus a noncompensable evaluation was assigned prior to September 30, 2008. Since then, he is rated at 10 percent for post-operative residuals of the left medial meniscus. Service connection for low back disorder as secondary to bilateral knee disorders was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling of VA examinations and consideration of the appropriate rating criteria.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 20 percent effective April 17, 2008. The RO granted an increased rating for this condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back disorder. The appeal has been remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for medical examinations and opinions regarding service connection for back pain and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain with disc bulge at L4-L5 was denied as the evidence did not show flexion to fewer than 90 degrees or combined range of motion totaling less than 240 degrees.,The effective date for service connection for a left knee disability was denied as it was assigned after separation from service, and no earlier effective date is available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to work, but further development is needed to determine if his employment issues are solely due to these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, and has found that the Veteran's current lumbar radiculopathy first developed during military service. Therefore, service connection is granted.

Throughout the rating period, your mild degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with pain has been manifested by daily pain that is partially alleviated by medication and objective pain at the ends of range of motion testing. The Veteran's disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's degenerative disc disease and left leg nerve damage, including as secondary to his lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine is being remanded due to a potential clear and unmistakable error in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of whether referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extra-schedular evaluation is warranted.

The Board determined that the Appellant's back disorder was not incurred or aggravated by active duty training (ACDUTRA). The evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an opportunity to undergo a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back and knee disabilities are not service-connected as they did not begin in service or for many years thereafter, and there is no credible medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and a low back disorder, but denied service connection for Raynaud's disease, collagen vascular disease, and fibrosis.