Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran's low back disability warrants a 40 percent rating for functional impairment of the spine throughout the period of this claim, and does not warrant more than a separate 10 percent rating for right sciatica for any portion of the period.

The VA determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his service, specifically noting that there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence does not support the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as multiple VA and private examiners have indicated that he is capable of performing sedentary work.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's lumbar disorder and service, including his left great toe arthritis. The claim for secondary service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and consideration of his claims for increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of whether his preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and thoracic spine injuries with degenerative disc disease, finding that the appellant's current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied service connection for both the claimed low back injury and migraine headaches, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or any presumptive period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine is related to her active military service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is service-connected, and he was granted a higher initial rating for his ulcerative colitis. The effective date of the grant of service connection for ulcerative colitis remains unchanged at May 3, 2002.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and psychiatric disabilities were denied. The lower back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, while the psychiatric disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional service treatment records and medical information from his employers.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease has been rated at the highest available evaluation of 60 percent, which is more than the requested initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, and right knee disorder are all found to be secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The back disorder is not considered service connected.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis and degenerative disc disease have been evaluated at a 10 percent rating since the grant of service connection. The Board finds that the current evaluation adequately compensates for his symptoms, as there is no evidence of additional functional loss or limitation due to pain.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the other issues for further development. The claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic sinus condition are being remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, as well as obtaining relevant Social Security Administration records.