Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to incomplete service records and the need for a new VA examination. The appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for her low back disability will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, as no current evidence of a back disability was provided. The claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for DDD of the lumbar spine was denied, as his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation. His PTSD claim resulted in a partial grant with an initial rating in excess of 50 percent from March 10, 2006 to November 12, 2008 and in excess of 70 percent since November 13, 2008.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back disability. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining Social Security records and VA treatment records, is needed before the issue can be decided.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and readjudicating the petitions to reopen service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current lower back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's kyphoscoliosis of the thoracolumbar spine was initially evaluated at a 20 percent disability rating from May 30, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a low back injury, finding that there was no evidence linking his current disability to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and a low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disability, claiming it was incurred during active duty. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and a VA examination. The issues of service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for PTSD are pending.

The Veteran's GERD is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides. However, the current disorder was not linked to his military service and there is no evidence of a link between other claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his low back disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's coccyx fracture, which he claims was caused by an in-service injury lifting artillery shells and falling with ammo, is related to his active service. The evidence supports a finding that this condition began during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining his VR&E file.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for clarification from the June 2007 examiner and consideration of whether he may be entitled to an increased rating based on painful motion.

The Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and there is no evidence that it manifested within one year after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the lumbar spine, is etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a rating of 20 percent effective March 11, 2011. The issue remains open for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine, as well as his carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, are not related to service or any service-connected disability.