Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not sustain a left knee injury or disease in service, and his current left knee disorder is not related to his active service. The claim for low back disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for his low back disability from 40% to 20%, effective May 1, 2009, was proper.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his low back, left knee, and left shoulder conditions, prevent him from continuing in his position as a machinist due to their severe effects on his ability to work. The Board finds that the cumulative effect of these disabilities makes it impossible for the Veteran to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, including whether it is related to service or pre-existing conditions. The case will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine at C5-C6 warrants a staged rating of no more than 10 percent prior to September 2, 2008 and an increased 20 percent rating from that date.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was initially rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating of 20 percent is granted effective January 6, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for a history of cold-induced bronchitis and postpartum hemorrhage, finding that these conditions are more likely than not related to the Veteran's period of active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of his low back disability, and for further development of the record. The case will be returned to the Board after this.

The Board has restored a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, effective December 1, 2007. The evidence does not show improvement in the condition.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The rating reduction for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss from 20 percent to noncompensable was denied, while the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder has been reopened but remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability or an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the issues on appeal, including a VA examination to address service connection for back disability, hypertension, and skin cancer.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence received and a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disorder has aggravated his right knee disability, warranting secondary service connection.,The Veteran is currently assigned the maximum 20 percent rating for his service-connected right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an examination to determine the nature and extent of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to adjudication of the claims, including obtaining complete service personnel records and a VA examination for hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, and left foot disorder.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a back disability, right shoulder disability, and skin conditions. The Veteran's current disabilities are presumed to be related to his Vietnam-era exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his lumbar and cervical spine disorders have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is caused by his service-connected right knee disability, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.