Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a smashed third finger of the right hand are related to his military service and is granting this claim. The lower back disorder claim remains pending as VA treatment records have not been obtained.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a need for further examination and development of medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and potentially pertinent medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder is not related to his service-connected left shoulder disorder and denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's lumbar strain rating from 40 percent to 20 percent was proper, and denied his request for restoration of the original 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and personnel information.

The Board has determined that a more recent VA examination is needed to assess the current nature and extent of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, including range of motion and any radiculopathy. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ankle, cervical spine, and low back injuries were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and review of the claims file. The case will be reconsidered with consideration of whether staged ratings are warranted, referral for an extraschedular rating, and/or TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that any current disability is not related to his service or an injury therein. The tethered spinal cord was determined to be congenital and not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip arthritis and low back degenerative changes are not due to disease or injury incurred in service, nor can they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate medical examination to determine if any of the claimed disabilities are caused or aggravated by the service-connected right foot disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding that his pre-existing low back disorder was not aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding it related to in-service injuries. The Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to ataxia is not considered a service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disorder, to include as secondary to bilateral knee disorders. However, additional development is needed including obtaining medical records and providing VCAA notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Board found that the appellant's lumbar spine disability was not incurred or aggravated in service, as there is no evidence of a preexisting condition that underwent a permanent increase in severity during his periods of ACDUTRA. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed thoracolumbar and cervical spine injuries were not incurred in service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and SSA disability benefit information. A new VA examination is also required to determine if the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to his in-service low back problems.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a fractured left maxilla with temporomandibular joint dysfunction was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim for service connection.