Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran's low back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating, as it did not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 60 degrees or combined ranges of motion less than 120 degrees.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a broken nose, obstructive sleep apnea secondary to the broken nose, and low back condition with radiculopathy. The Veteran's low back condition is considered aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a broken nose.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining missing VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of lumbar spondylolisthesis L4-5 with herniated disc L5-S1 (low back disability) should be December 19, 1997.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted, with specific evaluations assigned based on the severity of his disabilities. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further procedural action, including obtaining service personnel records and SSA disability benefit records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disorder, right knee disorder, sinusitis, and back disorder are on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left varicocelectomy are manifested by activity-restricting pain and is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for low back pain was denied as there is no current diagnosed condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for hip and back disorders, finding that additional development is needed including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and medical records. The Veteran's claims for psychiatric, skin, hearing loss, low back, hip, and knee disorders are also being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's in-service incidents indicate a worsening of his preexisting back disorder and whether such disorder is etiologically related to service.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development of evidence, including obtaining private medical records from Truman Medical Center. The claim will be reconsidered based on this additional information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine DJD and DDD are related to in-service trauma, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a cervical spine disorder, finding no credible evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's account of falling from a helicopter during service was deemed not credible.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for right foot/ankle disability, low back disability, neck disability, and headaches.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with herniated nucleus pulposus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's low back disability is found to be related to service, while his cervical spine disability does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board found that a current low back disability is not etiologically related to service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and further development is required before a decision can be made on his claim for service connection for a back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is due to an injury incurred in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his service, including two injuries sustained during service. The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition in service and concluded that any current degenerative changes are more likely due to age-related wear and tear rather than service connection.