Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran's right knee disability is not related to service, but the claim for low back disability has no new evidence material enough to reopen it. The Board found that the current right knee disability is due to aging and left knee arthritis, not service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of broken ribs has been granted. The Board finds that the current residual condition is related to his in-service injury and supports a grant of service connection.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for obtaining SSA records related to the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder. The appeal will be remanded until this is done.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder, which was previously denied in 1973. The additional evidence includes VA treatment records and an MRI showing current symptoms and potential etiology related to military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disorder, including sciatica. The Board has determined that more development is needed before the claim can be adjudicated.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's appeals on all issues except for the issue of an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus. The claim was denied as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran raised a claim within one year of his discharge from service, and the RO did not have notice of any pertinent evidence prior to July 10, 2008.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the RO/AMC for further action.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease is not found to have worsened to the extent that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and dysthymic disorder with alcohol dependence (claimed as depression) are being remanded to the RO due to the need to obtain additional information from Social Security Administration records and ensure all necessary development has been completed.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder, respiratory disorder, and allergies were not incurred in or related to his active military service.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted, with a 20 percent disability rating effective April 30, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, effective from the date of the original grant of service connection. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck and back disabilities are not shown to be due to any event or incident of his service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining recent VA and private treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his service-connected low back pain with multi-level degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and L4-5 spondylosis and spondylolisthesis, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and neurogenic claudication.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a temporary total rating were denied. The back disability was rated as 10 percent disabling, the left eye disability remained at noncompensable, and the temporary total rating claim was not granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with lumbosacral spine degenerative joint and disc disease status post laminectomy and fusion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of his claims file.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew it prior to a decision being made.