Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The VA denied the appellant's claims for a higher rating for her chronic low back strain and TDIU, finding that the current evaluation of 40 percent is appropriate based on her symptoms and range of motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and missing records. The Veteran's hearing loss and back condition will need further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lumbar spine disorder in service or within one year after separation, and the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was denied.

The Board found that a low back disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not relate to the unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for a low back disability, and thus, the claim may not be reopened.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA spine examinations.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to March 17, 2009. Effective that date, the rating was increased to 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain disability was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis of the spine or incapacitating episodes that required bed rest and treatment by a physician.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new examinations and a SOC on his back disability claim. The TDIU issue will be deferred until the rating decision on generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus the claims are denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for his back disability is granted, and he is granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist as secondary to his right wrist.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 27, 2001, for service connection for a low back disability was granted. The June 5, 1970, rating decision denying service connection for a back condition is not considered to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a heart condition and whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for headaches. The Veteran's claims of hearing loss and back condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the current rating. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is granted, as the Veteran meets the percentage requirements set forth in VA regulations and his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for claims of high cholesterol and urethritis. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the RO has granted separate additional 10 percent ratings for radicular symptoms of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity effective from June 25, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, sciatica of the right lower extremity, and sciatica of the left lower extremity due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active military service.