Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia, high cholesterol, right knee disability, psychiatric disorder, cardiovascular disease, low back disability, osteoarthrosis, allergies, Peyronie's disease, and broken right foot were denied as there is no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran did not have any cardiovascular issues during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including translation of Spanish documents and any additional evidence deemed necessary. The issues include a claim for a higher rating for his low back disability, as well as claims to reopen service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and denied his claim. The left foot disability was also evaluated, but no compensable evaluation was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right arm and shoulder, left arm and shoulder, right hand and finger disorders as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for anoxic encephalopathy with residual impairment of cognitive and cerebral function. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral feet, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining VA and private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his chronic low back/lumbar spine disabilities.

The VA denied the Veteran's claims for an increase in ratings for his low back disability and left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability determination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including asthma, mouth surgery, and right ear hearing loss, have been granted. The decision also indicates that the Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding other issues.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and bilateral pes planus/plantar fasciitis were denied. The claim for a temporary total evaluation due to convalescence following right knee surgery was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, back, face and nose scars, and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The appellant's cervical spine and low back disabilities are being evaluated based on their relation to service, while his eye disability will require a new examination. A right knee evaluation is also required, as well as an assessment of whether TDIU should be granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 11, 2003 for the award of service connection for lumbar strain is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for a low back disorder, but denied the claims for neurocardiogenic syndrome and presyncope as well as sleep apnea.,Obstructive sleep apnea was not found to be related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, as her current condition is not related to her period of active duty service. The other claims were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied because there is no medical evidence linking the condition to his military service. The Board found that the Veteran's current COPD is more likely related to occupational asbestos exposure and tobacco abuse following his military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The appeal is based on the denial of service connection for various conditions, including right knee limitations, instability, lumbar spine disabilities, and radiculopathies.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine and OA of the left ankle were denied. The DDD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and an examination. The issues are whether he has a back disability and/or arthritis that is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine, with L5-S1 annular tear and intervertebral disc syndrome of the sciatic nerve S1 are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted under the applicable schedular criteria.