Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case to the RO/AMC for further development of the Veteran's service records and medical records. The issues on appeal are whether the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a right hip disability and a low back disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral knee disorders, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for low back pain with lumbar degenerative disc disease was denied. The issue of service connection for a depressive disorder secondary to the service-connected low back disorder was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is not etiologically related to service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is rated at 40 percent, and his degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 10 percent. The residuals of avulsion fracture of the left ischial tuberosity are rated at 80 percent, and the hemorrhoids have a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain and PTSD/Depressive Disorder have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.,The Board finds that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including chronic lumbosacral strain and PTSD/Depressive Disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess his back and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right wrist disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's spinal disorder was granted a 10 percent evaluation prior to April 25, 2010, but not in excess of that. The Veteran's snapping hip syndrome was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including new VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic lumbosacral spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder did not onset in service or is causally related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, PTSD, and stomach disorders due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and finds that the Veteran's current lumbar spine condition is related to his military service. The issue of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for degenerative spurring of the thoracic spine remains pending, as further evaluation is needed.

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

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, and he has a separate 20 percent rating for neurological impairment of the right lower extremity. The other conditions are not rated higher.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence and incomplete records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and right leg injury, as well as his request for an increased rating for his eye disorder. The decision also noted that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that a medical examination is necessary to evaluate the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and low back disorder. The appeal will be remanded for these examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA and private medical records.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the current status of the Veteran's claimed dizziness and back disability, as well as their relationship to service.