Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and review of the claims file, including service treatment records and post-service treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and readjudication.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to October 16, 2008 and increased to 40 percent from that date. The decision is mixed as it addresses both a prior rating and a new effective date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar strain, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and right knee disability, resulting in denial of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to inconsistencies in the evidence. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered based on new information.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral hand arthritis and low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the current severity of his DDD, L4-L5 and any additional disability caused by a subsequent on-the-job injury. The case will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it is unrelated to a back injury during service or any other incidence of service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and low back disability were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the August 2005 rating decision that assigned an effective date of July 30, 2004 for service connection of degenerative disc disease at L4-S1 with small herniated nucleus pulposus and radiculopathy. The appeal is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining records from his place of employment and reviewing service treatment records. The Veteran is also asked to submit an original letter dated July 1961.

The Veteran's low back disability was initially granted with a noncompensable rating, and later increased to 10 percent effective March 17, 2008. The current appeal is about maintaining the 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to April 23, 2002. The claim for TDIU is denied for the period prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease, is likely due to an injury sustained in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating effective March 6, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic symptoms during or after service, and concluding that any current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, and TDIU based on service-connected disabilities. The denial was due to lack of evidence establishing a relationship between the Veteran's current low back disability and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete verification of service stressors and further examination regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities.