Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation for his service-connected lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease with spondylolisis and occasional radiation to the lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied. The April 1953 rating decision denying service connection for a back disorder was not found to contain CUE.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's left ankle disorder, but denied his claims of service connection for other conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the appellant's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and DDD of the lumbar spine. The case is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder and COPD.

The Veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for a special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine to his service, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a neurological examination.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance in the activities of daily living, thus denying his claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the current evaluations for lumbosacral strain, migraine headache disorder, and major depressive disorder with social phobia are deemed adequate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability did not have onset in active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service. The claim for a bilateral eye disability was remanded but no decision on this issue has been made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hip disorder and lumbar spine disorder are not related to service or any incident of service origin, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The case has been remanded due to a lack of VA treatment records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current low back disorders are not related to his military service and that arthritis is not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her low back disability remains pending and is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show incapacitating episodes, unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or at least mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his left knee disorder and low back disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development and adjudicative action due to insufficient medical opinion in the November 2008 VA examination report.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.