Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected low back, right knee, and flat foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for benign prostatic hypertrophy with urinary tract infection and erectile dysfunction, depressive disorder, and degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine at L4-L5 were granted effective February 2, 2005. The appeals for higher initial ratings are addressed in a separate section.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left knee disorder are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and records, including recent treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability records. A VA examination by an orthopedist must also be scheduled.

The Board has found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a neck injury and low back injury. The de novo claim will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to allow the RO to consider additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder and residuals of ganglion cyst, left hand are related to his period of active service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his military service and denied all claims. The right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities were also denied as they do not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which has been granted special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is attributable to service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from SSA and Worker's Compensation determinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and granted service connection based on direct evidence showing that his current degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is related to his active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine herniated disc, status-post microdiscectomy was granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent. The right knee disorder claim is pending and not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar strain with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 was not shown to meet the criteria for a higher disability rating prior to May 20, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his Vocational Rehabilitation folder and a VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disorder was granted, with the effective date set at May 13, 2010.