Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar strain, patella pain syndrome of both knees, and cervical spine disorder are all related to her service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disability, myofascial pain syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine with degenerative disease, and anxiety disorder were all denied by the Board. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a Gulf War protocol examination to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to service or an undiagnosed Gulf War illness.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to outstanding VA and SSA records, as well as the need for an updated examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with the highest possible rating of 10% for each condition as of March 31, 2009.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain all outstanding records from VAMC Philadelphia related to the Veteran's treatment. The appeal will be remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a groin condition. The effective date of any future grant of service connection will be determined by the RO.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with narrowing of disc space and marginal spur formation has been granted, maintaining a 20% disability evaluation effective April 12, 2007.

The Board has determined that further examination and medical opinion are needed to resolve the claims for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, bilateral knee disability, and low back disability. The Veteran's current conditions may be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's radiculopathy in the lower extremity is not related to his period of service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds the evidence to be in relative equipoise, finding that the currently demonstrated low back degenerative changes are likely due to repetitive low back injuries during service. As a result, service connection for lumbar spine degenerative changes is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and finds that it is warranted based on evidence showing degenerative disc disease, with lumbar spondylolisthesis, stenosis and radiculitis. The Veteran's current condition is related to his active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted since the last final denial shows a relationship between the current condition and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the notice and scheduling of a VA medical examination for the right hip disability. The low back claim is also being reopened.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were granted, with the effective date not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder is not related to any aspect of his service, including a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in April 2001. The claim was denied.