Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, is the result of an injury suffered in active service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The lumbar spine disability was found to not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and the cervical spine disability was also found to be rated appropriately at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back condition, finding that it is related to his military service. The remaining issues of increased rating for traumatic cyst, chin, with scars; bilateral knee disorder; left ankle condition; and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder) are referred to the RO for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation counseling records and arranging a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was granted, with a 40 percent rating effective July 27, 2009. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for intervertebral disc syndrome, status post-coccyx fracture, with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, left knee, and low back disorders are being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence. The case must be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for a VA examination to determine the nature, etiology, severity, and current status of his right knee disorder and low back disorder. The claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be readjudicated to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain and trigeminal neuralgia are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed thoracic back disability and lipoma residuals, as well as whether service connection should be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus or a low back disorder due to service and denied both claims.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic low back disability or left knee disability incurred in service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including obtaining private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and low back disorders are denied as these conditions are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, right knee, and ankle disabilities were denied. The RO found that the current ratings did not warrant a higher evaluation based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, SSA disability benefits records, and any relevant VA Medical Center records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability will be reconsidered based on the newly obtained evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for increased evaluations of his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen the service connection claim for Legionnaire's disease.