Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease at L4-5, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and right ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service. The claim for a higher rating for left knee disability is limited due to withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board is granting service connection for the Veteran's herniated disk, lumbar spine and status post microdiskectomy as secondary to his service-connected pes planus, left foot.

The Veteran seeks service connection for alcohol and drug abuse, to include as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to clarify the etiology of the claimed disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical examination and need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition noted at entry into service and no chronicity of symptoms demonstrated during service. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to his own actions following separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back strain was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability was granted a 60 percent evaluation effective November 6, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has been manifested by complaints of pain and some limitation of motion, but not productive of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for an effective date earlier than June 24, 2004, for the grant of service connection for GERD was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent since July 2, 2008. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted for any period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for service-connected onychomycosis of the bilateral feet has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted for his chronic lumbosacral strain.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a Travel Board hearing. A new hearing will be scheduled at the earliest available opportunity.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling an examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to obtain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current low back disorder and bilateral knee disorder. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has requested a medical opinion and remanded the case for further review due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claim will be reconsidered in light of this new evidence.