Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is aggravated by his service-connected left knee and hip disabilities.

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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between his in-service injuries and his current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a groin cyst and a back disorder, finding that there was no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for right hip arthritis and post-operative left inguinal hernia were remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further evidentiary development and to schedule a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claim of reopening service connection for low back strain is pending.

The Veteran's claims are reopened, but service connection is not granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is etiologically related to his service-connected low back disability. The claim for increased rating of the low back disability from July 21, 2004, to June 10, 2006, was granted.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the evaluation for DDD of the lumbar spine was proper, and service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hip disability, pulmonary disability, left elbow disability, and heart disability (secondary to DDD of the lumbar spine) have been granted. The Veteran's combined rating remains at 40%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and hepatitis C are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and health care provider information.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis warranting a higher rating. The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder remains pending as it was not adjudicated by the RO.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not service-connected, but he was granted service connection for a back disorder. His burn scars are rated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of updated outpatient records. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's right foot disorder, diagnosed as capsulitis of the dorsal midfoot, is found to be incurred in service. The Veteran's arthritis of thoracic and lumbar spine has been rated at 20 percent since December 26, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with early degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination, is necessary to address the merits of his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employment prospects and to determine if he meets the criteria for TDIU. The issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and entitlement to increased ratings for PTSD are also inextricably intertwined with the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is found to be due to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Board finds the evidence in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a current low back disorder that is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. Service connection was not granted for hearing loss as there were no records of such disability at the time of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial evaluation and earlier effective date for a service-connected low back disability was denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral knee condition as secondary to the low back disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed to his death, which was caused by osteomyelitis due to or as a consequence of end stage renal disease (ESRD).