Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to evaluate his disabilities and determine if he qualifies for non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain private medical records and VA treatment records, as well as any work-related medical records. The appellant's current back disorder is being evaluated for its relation to service or an incident of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder, right shoulder dislocation with postoperative rotator cuff injury, and right knee strain are related to his service-connected activities and the natural progression of degenerative changes. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the evidence satisfactorily establishes that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to active service and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, has been reopened and is granted. The claims for service connection for right knee and psychiatric disorders remain pending.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability has progressively worsened, with less than full forward flexion and daily severe pain. The Board finds that a rating of 20 percent is warranted for the residuals of 1st and 2nd lumbar vertebrae fractures.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied prior to December 19, 2007. However, after the effective date of December 19, 2007, he received a higher rating of 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of left elbow disorder, low back disorder, or bilateral shin fractures. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, which is secondary to his already service-connected right knee disability, has been remanded due to the need for further development and an opinion from VA on the etiology of the back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder and neck disorder have been denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, right hip, left hip, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, migraine headaches, a back condition, and COPD. The decision found that there was no evidence of an onset in service or relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the etiology opinion provided in the September 2007 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service or any service-connected disability, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as incurred in active service, and denied the remaining claims.

The appellant died during the appeal process, and therefore their claim for service connection for a low back disability has been dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting withdrawal of the appeal.