Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain was not shown to be productive of forward flexion of the lumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less prior to September 14, 2008. The Veteran has shown limitation of motion and muscle spasm during this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of lumbar surgery to include intervertebral disc syndrome will be adjudicated after the additional development.

The Board found no evidence that any current cervical, low back, or left knee disability is related to service. The Veteran's complaints and diagnoses are not linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and the potential need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection as it is related to his in-service stressor of being injured by a rocket attack while serving in Iraq. The Board also found that the Veteran's dizziness, blurred vision, neck pain and low back pain are associated with his head injury sustained during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and will seek additional evidence before deciding on the service connection for low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, low back strain, diabetes mellitus, cervical strain, and multiple knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that a TDIU rating is warranted based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disabilities and whether they are related to service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and numbness of the feet, as his current conditions are not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a chronic lumbosacral spine disorder and increased evaluations for her right knee and left knee chondromalacia patella. She also seeks entitlement to TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an examination to determine if his current back disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left femur fracture residuals.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including verification of periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA service. The Veteran's claim will be re-adjudicated after this additional information is obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and left leg disorders are secondary to his service-connected left foot disorder with mild circulatory impairment, which was granted a disability rating of 20 percent effective August 24, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding treatment records and a need for another VA examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disorder, which he claims was incurred during active duty. The case is being remanded to obtain an appropriate VA examination and further development of the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, finding that his claimed conditions did not have onset during service or are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is at least as likely as not aggravated by her service-connected right foot disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disorder, arterial hypertension, and sinusitis. The underlying merits of these claims are now being considered on their own merits.