Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a respiratory condition and bronchitis/pleurisy, were denied as the evidence did not support these claims. The exposure basis was presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's right eye disability is being remanded for further examination and opinion.,Service connection for bilateral heel spurs, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral hip disorders are being remanded as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity for a VA examination to address these claims.,Service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and bilateral hip disorders is being remanded as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity for a VA examination to address these claims.,Service connection for bilateral hip disorders, status post total hip replacements, and low back disorder are being remanded as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity for a VA examination to address these claims.,The Veteran's low back disorder is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's low back strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given his full range of motion without additional functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of pneumonia or a back disability, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board hearing at the local RO in Montgomery, Alabama.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his L5 lumbar fracture with retrolisthesis were denied, and he was not granted service connection for nerve damage.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining stressor dates for PTSD and seeking VA examinations for his back disorders.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity L5 radiculopathy has been rated at 20 percent for each leg, reflecting moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disability have been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD related to his combat service in Vietnam, and there is medical evidence linking his current symptoms to this stressor event. For his bilateral hearing loss, the Board finds conflicting opinions but leans towards finding it likely related to noise exposure during service. For low back disability, additional records are needed as the Veteran's post-service treatment history is unclear.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only due to his already service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease was denied. The claims for higher initial ratings for right foot keloids, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and dry eye condition were granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the knees.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for a back disorder.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he had died before the Board could make a decision on his claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's current claim is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension, hiatal hernia, low back disorder, arthritis of the shoulders and knees, and left shoulder disability are not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his postoperative lumbosacral strain with narrowing of L5-S1 with compression was denied, as the current disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the combined service-connected disabilities (40% for postoperative lumbar strain and 10% each for hallux limitus and postoperative cheilectomy) not precluding substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim, were denied by the Board. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for both conditions have not been met at any time during the appeal period.