Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disability. The case is being remanded to obtain private treatment records and provide the Veteran with an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has determined that further development of the Veteran's claims is warranted, including obtaining SSA and OWCP records and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and right knee disabilities. However, the evidence does not establish a direct link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability evaluation for thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities has been denied as VA regulations no longer provide for such evaluations. The TDIU claim is pending, but the cervical spine service connection claim must be remanded due to its inextricability with the low back claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disability. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and low back injury to obtain additional evidence, including Reserve service records and VA outpatient treatment records. The claims will be adjudicated on the merits after this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current chronic lumbosacral strain is related to her service, and thus grants service connection for a low back disorder with secondary bilateral leg condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5237. The RO has granted this increased rating based on the criteria for a lumbosacral strain with forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 60 degrees and combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability was incurred during his active service and granted him service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is directly related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records related to the Veteran's kidney disability and low back disability. The claims will be adjudicated again after this development.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, updated medical records, and further development.

The Veteran's low back strain was rated at 20% since December 5, 2007. Prior to that date, the claim for a higher rating was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, including from VA and private providers. He also needs a new VA examination for his service-connected chronic low back strain. The claims for an increased rating for the chronic low back strain and for service connection for a leg condition are being remanded as well.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, scheduling a neurological examination, and determining the effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine was denied. The RO found that the disability did not meet or approximate criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating and TDIU due to service-connected low back pain is being remanded for further development, including an examination and review of additional medical records.