Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for further development regarding service connection for a lower back disability.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including as secondary to a service-connected fracture of the left tibial plateau.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disorder, manifested by diagnosed degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is due to a disease or injury incurred in service. Service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of direct service connection for glaucoma, lumbar degenerative joint disease, left shoulder disorder, neck disorder, and chest pain due to a sternum injury. The preponderance of evidence indicated that these conditions were not related to his active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's left lateral femoral cutaneous nerve entrapment and lumbar spine DJD are rated at the minimum levels, while a separate rating is granted for his right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service-connection claim for additional evidentiary development due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining new evidence and scheduling a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his mid-back disability and associated radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective April 23, 2004. The rating for migraine headaches has been increased to 10 percent prior to February 20, 2008 and thereafter. Ratings of 10 percent have also been assigned for DJD of the right knee, left knee, and right ankle Grade II stress fracture.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications, were denied as the evidence did not show a direct relationship to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed back disability, headache disability, and residuals of CS gas exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right leg radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are causally related to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation higher than 10 percent for service-connected mechanical low back pain with traumatic arthritis of the thoracic spine at T1 is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and failure to schedule a compensation and pension examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his military service and grants this claim. The claims for bilateral knee, left fifth finger, and acquired psychiatric disorders are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spondylosis and lumbar radiculitis are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence after a previous SSOC, and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including severe DJD of the left shoulder status post total left shoulder arthroplasty and cervicalgia. The remaining issues are pending further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The issues of increased ratings for irritable bowel syndrome and a low back disability are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.