Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any current back disorder is etiologically related to the Veteran's period of active service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a right foot disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder to his service, including a 1995 football injury. The claim was denied as there is insufficient medical evidence to support the Veteran's contention that his back disability began during or was aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's cervical spondylopathy and degenerative changes at C3-C4, as well as his low back syndrome with herniated nucleus pulposus at L3-L4, have been granted service connection. The effective date for these benefits is July 14, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a diagnosed PTSD. The claims for tinnitus, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability are also being remanded as the July 2010 VA examination did not provide opinions on their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, right hip, and left hip disabilities are not related to his service or any incident therein. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with scoliosis was denied as the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service motor vehicle accident and resulting lumbar spine pain.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's back disability is not considered to be a result of VA care, and the Board finds no fault on the part of VA. The Veteran does not have an additional disability as a result of VA treatment in October 2000.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder and granted service connection for a right ankle disorder. The issue of TDIU remains pending as it was remanded by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected low back disability. The TDIU claim will also be adjudicated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence linking his current conditions to his active service.

The Board has determined that an effective date of August 15, 2006, is warranted for the assignment of a 20% disability rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. Prior to this date, there was no evidence of increased functional impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine at L4-5 and L5-S1 with stenosis at L4-L5 is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and information about SSA disability benefits.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and whether his service-connected cervical spine disability caused or aggravated it.

The Board found no evidence of any diagnosed disorders of the wrists, hands or knees during or after active service. The Veteran's complaints were attributed to repetitive motions and cold weather, but there is no objective evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. The remaining claims for low back condition, neck condition, headaches, and cold weather injury affecting the bilateral hands are pending.