Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's request for service connection for a back disorder is being remanded due to his desire for a video Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including degenerative joint and disc disease with osteophytes, bone spurs, foraminal narrowing, spinal stenosis, and favorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine between L3, L2, L1 and T12, is service-connected as it is linked to his credible account of sustaining a back injury during active duty.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for disabilities of the knees and right ankle are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The initial rating claim for left ankle arthralgia is deferred until all pertinent evidence is assembled.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability secondary to his service-connected right knee strain, left knee strain, and right ankle strain is on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, including those from Social Security Administration (SSA). The case will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the acquisition of any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the Veteran with another opportunity to submit authorization forms.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal because her substantive appeal was not timely filed in response to the August 2007 rating decision granting service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and assigning a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected arthritis, lumbar vertebra with arthralgia of lower back, is currently rated at 20 percent and the claim for an increased rating has been granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, which he claims is related to his service-connected left foot amputation. The Board finds that a remand is necessary due to inadequate examination and requests for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, which is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, has been remanded due to the need for a Board hearing and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine was granted, with a 20% rating effective from the date of the decision. The ratings for his great toe disabilities remain at 10%.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lower back, as secondary to her service-connected left knee disability. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for further action.

The appellant's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on January 7, 2010 at Florida Hospital - Flagler were reimbursed due to the nature of his chest pain and shortness of breath which posed a serious threat to his health.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since June 1, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining workers' compensation records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and back disorder are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right knee injury with osteoarthritis, and left knee arthritis with meniscal disease, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected injury to Muscle Group XX (lumbar spine) with degenerative joint disease is now rated at 60 percent effective April 18, 2012.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spondylosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's low back disorder, including degenerative disc disease, degenerative osteoarthritis, stenosis, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, facet hypertrophy, and disk herniation of the lumbar spine, was incurred in active service.