Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for an initial higher rating for recurrent, low back strain and a TDIU were denied. The Board found that additional development was needed before these matters could be adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, allergic rhinitis, and microcytic hypochromic anemia were granted. The initial evaluations for these conditions are as follows: lumbosacral strain at 20%, allergic rhinitis at 10%, and microcytic hypochromic anemia is rated compensable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, neck disorder, upper back disorder, and lower back disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current diagnoses and her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be productive of a disability picture that precludes him from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 30 percent effective June 26, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with previous directives and additional development is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, but granted service connection for a right knee disorder. The rating assigned was 20 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented, allowing the reopening of the claim for service connection for a back disability. The issue is now on its merits.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records, conduct a VA examination, and determine whether the Veteran meets the percentage requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic lumbar strain and left leg radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and residuals of bilateral frozen feet are related to his service-connected left tibia fracture with knee and ankle disability, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and lumbosacral strain, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, and his neurologic manifestations are considered mild. The appeal for increased rating and service connection has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected low back strain, left ankle strain, right ankle strain, residuals of myocardial infarction, and adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features. The current ratings are found to be appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current spine disabilities are not related to service and have denied his claims.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability, but further development is needed as the duty to assist has not been satisfied.

The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain has been manifested by combined range of motion of the lumbar spine greater than 120 degrees, forward flexion to 70 degrees with pain beginning at 40 degrees. The Board finds that his disability meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the general rating formula based on limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability and an initial compensable rating for herpes simplex types 1 and 2 due to insufficient evidence of a current disability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition manifested by difficulty breathing or any current back disability, and thus denied the Veteran's service connection claims.