Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is as likely as not causally related to his service-connected right and left knee disorders, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine disorder or lumbar spine disorder in service, and the Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, to include arthritis and status post total knee arthroplasty, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain. The effective date remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD, and requesting that any outstanding records be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lower back disability was granted, with a current rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of a previously denied claim were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his service connection claim, as it did not establish a current left knee disorder.

New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and a mood disorder.,The Veteran's low back disorder is also considered on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues, including a need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the issue of whether this condition is related to his military service remains pending as additional development is required.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to questions regarding the exact nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back and bilateral hip disabilities, including a need to obtain service treatment records and provide an additional VA orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board granted service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to the lumbar spine disability and assigned a separate initial rating of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The initial ratings for the lumbar spine disability were denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of right knee, left knee, and hypertension disabilities. The appeal for lumbar spine disability is being remanded.

The Board found insufficient evidence of a chronic low back disorder during service or within one year after service, and the probative medical evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current low back disability and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder does not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.