Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran has a qualifying chronic disability manifested by arthralgia in the low back, knees, shoulders, and elbows that is related to his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorders, including scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and degenerative disc disease, were aggravated by his military service beyond their natural progression.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is now rated at 40 percent, effective from November 5, 2009.

The Board found that a chronic back disability including back pain with right trapezius muscle spasm and degenerative joint disease of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability with sciatic nerve injury has been granted a higher evaluation from August 2, 2010.

The Board denied reopening of the previously denied claim of service connection for a back disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection of low back disability, headaches, coccyx fracture, torn right upper arm muscle, peripheral vascular disease of the right upper extremity, arthritis of the bilateral legs and arms with joint pain, skin problems, and a soft tissue condition of the bilateral feet and arms. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a May 2012 letter indicating he no longer wishes to pursue his claims.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a bilateral knee disorder and the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability. The claim for service connection for a low back disorder will be denied as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, was caused by his military service. The claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded due to outstanding records and a need for additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety was denied as there is no evidence that the condition had its onset during active service or resulted from disease or injury in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and found that there is sufficient evidence to establish a current back disability, but it was not incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from a private chiropractor and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for anxiety, but did not find a relationship between any of her claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing at the local regional office.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is more likely related to a work injury in 1990.