Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased rating claims for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as left knee degenerative joint disease. The Board is dismissing these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination report and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's lower back disability is being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when evaluated in association with his educational attainment and occupational experience, preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current L5 spondylolisthesis was incurred during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability, which includes a disc bulge at L5-S1 and lumbosacral strain, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations, as well as further development of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues with the timeliness of his substantive appeal and further development is needed for a neurological examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional low back disability with neurological impairment as caused by VA hospitalization or medical or surgical treatment in May 2001. The Board has remanded this case to allow for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted effective dates for the grant of service connection for loss of use of lower extremities and SMC based on loss of use of feet, both retroactively to June 30, 2000.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board has determined that the appellant currently suffers from a low back disorder that is the result of an injury incurred in active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed back disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is found to be related to his in-service motor vehicle accident, while his head injury residuals are not shown. Service connection for the cervical spine disability is granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his low back, cervical spine, and right shoulder disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that any of these conditions warranted a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities.,He also seeks to reopen a previously denied claim for PTSD, as well as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability secondary to his spinal conditions.

The Veteran is granted service connection for degenerative lumbar disc disease with chronic low back pain and hypertension. Service connection was not established for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, or heart palpitations.