Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as clarifying the Veteran's workers' compensation history. The examiner is also requested to provide an addendum to the July 2009 examination report.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with L5 nerve root impingement and degenerative disc disease is service-connected.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the Veteran's right knee chondromalacia and her military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected mechanical low back strain was denied as the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and left shoulder disorders are related to his active duty service, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of evidence, including new VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper back disability, lower back disability, and rash on hands and feet. The appeals are currently pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lower back disability. The issues of entitlement to higher initial evaluation for residuals of fragment wound to the left temple and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a back disability, including spondylosis of the lumbar spine or DDD of the lumbar, cervical or thoracic spine that is attributable to his military service. The Veteran's currently diagnosed spine disabilities are considered direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting low back disorder was not aggravated by his second period of service, and currently diagnosed degenerative changes are not otherwise shown to be related to a disease or injury in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and treatment records to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed right hand and arm neurological disorder and low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the reduction of an evaluation from 20 percent to 10 percent for degenerative disc disease was not proper, and the 20 percent rating is restored effective July 1, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected low back strain and right hand scar.

The Veteran's initial claims for higher evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to any higher ratings.,Service connection was established, but no higher initial evaluations could be granted as the evidence did not meet the criteria for such.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected right shoulder and back disabilities. The case will be processed as though the request for a hearing was withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining updated medical records.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain pertinent records and opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability, including his Gulf War deployment in 1991.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to obtain specially adapted housing or financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran does not have a depressive disorder that is attributable to military service or was caused or made worse by her service-connected right knee disorder.,The Veteran does not have a left hip disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran filed timely NODs regarding his claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine injury, right shoulder injury, thoracic and lower lumbar spine injury, left knee injury, and right knee injury. The appeal is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck and low back disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of chronic disability during service or continuity of symptomatology after service. The VA examiners concluded it is less likely as not that these conditions are related to service.