Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy, right lower extremity. The Veteran's claim for bipolar disorder was denied as it is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 30 percent, and his chronic lumbosacral fibromyositis claim requires further development. The hypertension secondary to PTSD claim is also remanded.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a low back disorder, which he believes was incurred during his military service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the dates of active duty and National Guard/Reserves service, as well as to clarify the etiology of any currently diagnosed low back disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of her husband's death, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his untimely death to his military service or to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's herniated disc, lumbar spine, was rated at 10 percent prior to October 14, 2010 and increased to 20 percent beginning that date. The Board found the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a hearing before the Board at the appropriate Regional Office.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing at the Waco, Texas RO.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle, left hip, and low back disabilities. The preponderance of the evidence reflects that he does not have these conditions due to his active duty service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and PTSD. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of a direct relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain remains pending.

The Board found that the current back disabilities, including hemangiomas on cervical and thoracic spine and mild disc degeneration and arthritis in the lower back, have been objectively demonstrated. However, there is no evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's service, specifically her injury from a portable dental sink falling on her shoulder and upper back during active duty for training.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a DRO hearing and other administrative actions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The initial rating of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was maintained, while a separate 10 percent rating for left lower radiculopathy was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and right shoulder disabilities are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of his case.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar disorder and bilateral pes planus were denied. The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome was granted with a single noncompensable evaluation, while his left knee patellofemoral syndrome received the same rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and he is entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar strain disability. The issue regarding the compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.