Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records, which were not previously obtained.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder, degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 with central herniation, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and traumatic brain injury contributed substantially or materially to his death, which occurred due to a motorcycle accident. The decision grants entitlement to service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's pre-existing spine disorder was aggravated by service, resulting in a current disability. The VA has granted service connection for the Veteran's spinal disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the Board for further proceedings due to a previous denial of his claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The case must be remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current low back disorder to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected foot and ankle disabilities have aggravated his low back disorder, but not established a direct causal relationship. The claim will be remanded for further clarification of this determination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and hypertension were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year following separation from service.

The Veteran's death was found to be due to ischemic heart disease, specifically coronary artery disease. The Board granted service connection for this condition as the result of exposure to herbicides for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his headaches associated with the cervical spine disability, degenerative arthritis of both knees, are not rated higher than their current levels.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, residuals of a low back injury, and right elbow disability due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran did not submit any new or material evidence that would allow his previously denied claims for these conditions to be reopened.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder is due to an injury sustained during his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his active service and therefore, he does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back symptoms are not due to his service-connected low back strain and thus, denied his claim for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and PTSD have been reopened, but the evidence does not support granting these claims.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no credible evidence linking the current condition to service. The Veteran's assertions of chronic pain since service were deemed not credible given the lack of contemporaneous medical records and the passage of time between discharge from active duty and the onset of symptoms.

The Veteran's residuals, lumbar strain, are rated at 20 percent since November 29, 2010. The Veteran's residuals, right foot stress fracture, remain rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spinal stenosis, disk bulges at L3-L4 and L5-S1, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been primarily manifested by pain, but does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 20 percent under the General Rating Formula.