Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is less than 70% and he has other disabilities that have been found not to be service-connected. The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to inconsistencies in clinical findings and the need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between a back disability and an injury during military service in October 1996.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a low back disability and thus service connection for the Veteran's claimed condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to inadequate examination and development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient recent medical evidence and the need for a VA examination to assess his current disability status, including any associated left radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic back disability is related to injuries sustained during his active service in Iraq, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The claim to reopen the low back and leg pain condition was not granted due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus (claimed as due to herbicide exposure) were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA outpatient records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluations for his claimed conditions, including chronic headaches, left ear hearing loss, low back disorder, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, a low back disorder, and a left eye pterygium due to further development. The effective date of any grant of service connection remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain his personnel file and any relevant medical records, including those from Wiesbaden Regional Medical Center. The Veteran will be scheduled for examinations to determine if his current disabilities were caused or aggravated by his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals, lumbar spine strain warrant a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition. The claim for a back condition secondary to left uterteral pelvic junction obstruction was not addressed due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification of representation, as well as for compliance with VCAA requirements. The appellant's claim will be re-adjudicated after these steps.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an orthopedic examination. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar disc disease is pending.