Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and Reserve service records. The VA will determine if the Veteran's current back disability, gynecological disorder, or psychiatric disorder are related to her active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a 60 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5237 or any other applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to an initial compensable rating for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for the lower back disability and higher initial ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease with Barrett's esophagus status post nissen fundoplication, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic strain of the lumbar spine is manifested by forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees, warranting a rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities were granted a disability rating of 10 percent, effective as of the date of claim for increase. The appeal was not about service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of SSA records. The Veteran's low back disorder is being evaluated to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any current lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claim for squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth will also be readjudicated with consideration of all submitted evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 2, 2007 and upgraded to 20 percent effective from that date. The right knee disabilities were also rated at 10 percent prior to April 2, 2007 and upgraded to 20 percent effective from that date. The left hip disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since the initial rating period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, as there was no evidence linking any condition to service or presumed exposure to herbicides. The Board also denied claims for increased ratings and SMC.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disability, left knee disability, GERD, skin rash, and sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disabilities, as well as his attempt to reopen a claim for residuals of a fracture of the left foot. The decision did not address any specific rating or effective date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of PTSD, and the other conditions were not shown to be related to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at his local Regional Office.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disorder was granted a 20 percent evaluation effective June 6, 2006. The initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for chronic lumbar syndrome with disc bulge, L4-5 is being remanded due to outstanding medical records and treatment needs.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 10 percent effective April 1, 2005. The initial compensable rating for dry eye syndrome was granted. The PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder issue remains pending.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his lower back disability, but the case has been remanded due to lack of recent VA examination and treatment records.