Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board is remanding the case due to inadequate VCAA notice regarding whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations and consideration of newly received evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral radiculopathy and depressive disorder, precluded gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise have qualified him from December 16, 2003 to August 9, 2004. The TDIU claim is granted during this period.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may arthritis of the lumbar spine be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus of the right foot, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, left chronic knee disability, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine as secondary to his service-connected left foot disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and associated radiculopathy were found to not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent for the period prior to October 21, 2009 or since December 1, 2009. The right leg radiculopathy was assigned a 10 percent initial evaluation as of January 1, 2008 (excluding the period of entitlement to temporary total disability benefits from October 21, 2009 through November 30, 2009).

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed lumbar myofascial strain is not attributable to his period of military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active service and granted service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and whether he is unemployable due to his disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, with a current rating of 30 percent. The claims for bilateral pes planus and low back disability were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back strain, disorder of the bottom of the feet, left wrist disorder, and chest pain. The evidence did not establish current disabilities or link these conditions to her military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's current orthopedic and neurological manifestations of his cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The case is therefore REMANDED for further action.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus to service or continuity of symptomatology.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his heart disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and special monthly pension for aid and attendance or housebound status, finding that his current condition did not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for clarification on service connection issues, including a new VA examination.

The Board found that a chronic low back disability did not have its onset during active military service and denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for his claimed degenerative changes of the lumbar spine.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip strain with mild osteoarthrosis and cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease, both of which are related to the Veteran's military service. The RO also increased his initial rating from 30% to 50%, effective August 31, 2009.