Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for the year 2008 is granted as he had received a qualifying appliance (back brace) prior to August 1, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied. The VA determined that the condition did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The VA Board found that the Veteran's current degenerative changes of the lumbar spine are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his service connection for a low back disability is reopened. A new VA examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records and address secondary service connection issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling compensation and pension examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, a nervous disorder, and a back condition. The evidence did not show that any of these conditions were incurred during or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. The claims of service connection for bronchitis, hearing loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, ulcers, and hemorrhoids were also denied. Service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial 50 percent rating.

Service connection was granted for left shoulder, cervical spine, and thoracolumbar spine disorders effective June 3, 1998.,The Veteran's claims were denied initially in February 1994.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder with right lower extremity radiculopathy and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of current disability or in-service occurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, disc bulging L4-5, and degenerative joint disease were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition and is now considering whether it should be granted. The Veteran testified that he injured his back during active service in 1977, and private medical records show various diagnoses of lumbar spine disabilities since then.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with representation and further development is required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability and arranging for a VA examination to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran seeks an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes. The case is REMANDED due to the need for a VA medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disability was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and lumbar spondylosis, is attributable to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims for hepatitis C and a low back disability. Specifically, the Veteran needs to be provided with an examination to assess his hepatitis C claim and ascertain whether he had a tattoo during service which may have contributed to his current condition. The VA also needs to request any SSA medical records related to the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and increased ratings for knee disabilities are pending.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeal for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. As a result, the Board dismisses the appeal.