Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and sciatica of the right leg are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The issues will be readjudicated after obtaining a new opinion on the etiology of his low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not related to service or his service-connected seizure disorder.,For his cervical spine and headaches, additional evidence was provided since the February 2009 VA examination. The Veteran should be afforded a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service or service-connected seizure disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, chronic headaches, and bilateral shoulder disability are related to his military service. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran is seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that an updated VA examination and records are needed to fully evaluate the claim.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an increased rating for spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral spine, L5-S1 with spondylolysis, L4 with IVDS; service connection for chondromalacia patella, right knee; and service connection for a right foot condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine arthritis do not warrant evaluations greater than 20 percent, as they do not meet the criteria for such ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and needs further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD and chronic low back disorder due to inadequate examinations, incomplete records, and need for further clarification of the severity of symptoms and their effects on occupational and social impairment.

The Board has ordered that the Veteran be provided an additional examination in order to obtain X-ray studies of her low back. The case is REMANDED for this purpose.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar disc disability and a new examination if necessary. The issues of service connection and rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain are both pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability and remanded his right hip disability claim for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that it is related to service and not secondary to any service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck disability, including degenerative disc disease, is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis have been granted with appropriate evaluations, but the issues of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right leg and foot condition remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar and thoracic spine with sciatic-like pain was found to be productive of limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees prior to December 21, 2009, which warrants a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5242.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current low back symptoms are related to her in-service injury during ACDUTRA. The appeal seeking service connection for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his spine and lower extremity disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The case will be further evaluated based on the evidence provided.