Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disorder, which he attributes to a motor vehicle accident during active duty. The Board finds that further development is needed as the current treatment records are unclear and an examination is required.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a low back disability due to the lack of corroborating evidence of in-service stressors and pre-existing conditions, respectively.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the provision of a VA examination to assess his current cervical spine and headache disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to evaluate the Veteran's low back condition, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes and L4-L5 HNP status post discectomy is currently rated at 20 percent, which adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his lumbar degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evidence. The Veteran asserts that his current low back disability is more severe than what was reflected in his February 2007 VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted the underlying service connection. The Veteran's current lumbar spine disabilities are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a pulmonary disability (including obstructive sleep apnea) and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not have diabetes mellitus or hypertension attributable to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO/Appeals Management Center for further investigation, including a VA examination and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected low back disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with herniated disc. The Veteran's low back disability is found to be directly related to his active military service, while his cervical spine disability is also found to be related to service based on a nexus between the Veteran's performance during service and his current condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause his death, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of a compensable rating for any of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar disk disease, traumatic arthritis of the left ankle, and complete bony ankylosis of the great left toe, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied all of the Veteran's claims, including service connection for back, knee, and ankle disorders as well as a rating in excess of 30 percent for his bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that none of these conditions were related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination in 2004, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disc disease is rated at 20 percent, effective August 20, 2007. The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis and injuries to his back, as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities within the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder and lumbar spine disability were aggravated by his active duty service, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues with notification and additional evidence is needed, including a VA examination.