Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been pending since her initial claim in 2006. The Board has now reopened the left shoulder disorder claim, but remains unable to grant a disability evaluation due to lack of evidence establishing a current diagnosis.,The Veteran also testified that she is receiving Social Security benefits based on her disabilities, which should be reviewed by SSA.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or symptoms that would warrant an increased rating for his right knee disability, and denied the claims for bilateral shin splints, right elbow pain, and bilateral wrist strain. However, by extending the benefit of doubt to the Veteran, his lumbosacral strain was determined to be service-connected.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbar-thoracic degenerative spine disease and cervical spine degenerative disc disease have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The issues include seeking an increased rating for a lumbar spine disorder and service connection for bilateral radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, gastrointestinal disorder, sinus disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorder have been denied.,There is no evidence of a chronic disability in any of these conditions during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his service-connected right knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of service-connected conditions for the Veteran's bilateral knee, hip, and back disorders. The claims were denied as there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of her appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, lower back disorder, and right knee disorder are related to his military service.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for updated examinations of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder and arthritis cannot be granted as direct service connection is not met due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 30 percent to 10 percent was not proper, and the 30 percent disability rating is restored.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not causally related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability has been rated at 10 percent since the initial rating decision in November 2003. The current rating is denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation based on the criteria for evaluating disabilities of the spine.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing in conjunction with the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to ensure compliance with the June 2009 remand directives, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current low back disorder.