Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine condition is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, and his right hand osteoarthritis does not warrant a compensable evaluation. The bilateral wrist disability has been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain SSA records and readjudicate the service connection and initial evaluation claims on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability has been rated at 40 percent since July 11, 2011. Prior to that date, the rating was granted but not for a period of time when he had less than full forward flexion.

The Board found no evidence that the appellant's current back disability was incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar strain since March 1, 2005 was denied. His TDIU claim was granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and a low back disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine was first demonstrated during his period of active duty from December 28, 1989 to June 1, 1990. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining a service separation examination and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to address his spine and gastrointestinal conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative disease and radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional service treatment records from his second period of active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records of the Physical Evaluation Board proceedings and surgical treatment records, as well as any available VA and private medical records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disability is remanded due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling a new hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for scoliosis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to unclear severity and extent of her disability. A new VA examination is necessary to fully evaluate her condition.

The Board has determined that the reduction in evaluation from 30 to 20 percent for service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was improper, and denied all other issues on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and finds that the Veteran's current tinnitus is causally related to his time in service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spinal strain, and an increased rating for painful exostosis of the left anterior chest are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his claimed chronic respiratory disorder and service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's right knee and ankle disabilities have been granted service connection, but the initial ratings assigned are 10 percent for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the case requires further development due to conflicting medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's claims for service connection, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, rhinitis, lung cancer, and back disability will be remanded for additional examination and review.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found that new evidence was submitted to reopen some claims, but the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any condition.