Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cardiovascular disease, lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and TDIU due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back strain with degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the lower extremities were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back disability and right lower radiculopathy were denied. The claim for left lower radiculopathy was granted with a separate compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection, but the ratings assigned are at the minimum levels allowed by law.

The Veteran's low back strain prior to February 28, 2008 was manifested by flexion greater than 60 degrees and localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour. There were no incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed fifth and eighth rib fracture residuals were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability, nor is there credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his low back and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA compensation examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to active service and grants service connection for a back disability. The issue of hypertension remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's low back disability is being remanded for further examination and clarification of her service connection claim due to inconsistencies in the medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an upper back disorder, left ankle disorder, and left thigh disorder due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, residuals of ovarian cysts, and vascular cephalgia were granted. The Veteran was awarded higher initial disability ratings for these conditions. Service connection for renal lithiasis, radiculopathy of right lower extremity (claimed as secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease), systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis were denied.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.,For the period prior to December 3, 2009, the Veteran was awarded a 50 percent rating for PTSD. The Board found no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied, but his claim to reopen a low back disability claim was granted. The decision is mixed as the PTSD claim was granted and the low back disability claim was reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the New York, New York RO due to his request.

The Board has granted service connection for L3/L4 spondylosis, finding that the Veteran's low back disability is presumed to have manifested during service due to a diagnosis of minimal L3/L4 spondylosis (osteoarthritis) within one year of separation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for consideration of additional evidence and a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition, diagnosed as intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), is related to his military service. The cervical spine disability was also found to be related to service. However, there is no evidence of a current left or right shoulder disability.

The Board found no evidence to support a direct service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral foot disorders, concluding that they are not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.