Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and any outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further development is required before a decision can be made on the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative joint diseases of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine are related to an in-service automobile accident. The appeals for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal of her claim for increased ratings for her service-connected low back disability has been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The VA has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder, low back disorder, and sciatica are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for a left leg disorder and a back disorder. The Veteran's STRs do not show any in-service diagnosis or treatment related to these conditions, and there is no evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not service-connected and denied his claim. The Board concluded that the Veteran's mild scoliosis at entry into service did not increase in severity during active duty, and that any current low back disability is due to degenerative changes associated with aging rather than a service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability to his active service or Army Reserve period, and denied both theories of entitlement.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the first left rib, low back condition, and a shoulder disability as these conditions were not shown to be related to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for a low back disorder due to his withdrawal of this claim. The effective date issue related to PTSD remains under consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disability and left thumb disability, combine to a rating of 70 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran is likely prevented from securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability and lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right total knee replacement.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disability related to service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate evidence and requires additional VA examinations for service connection claims. The Veteran's back and left foot disorders are being evaluated based on their direct relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected cervical spine and dorsal spine disabilities are being remanded to allow for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's IBS is secondary to her service-connected PTSD. The Board finds the opinion of Dr. M.W.C., who has treated the Veteran for several years, more probative than the VA examiners' opinions that it is not related to her PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and SSA disability benefits information. A VA examination is also required to determine the etiology of any current hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia with medial meniscus tear of both knees, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and hearing loss. The noncompensable rating assigned for his hearing loss disability is upheld.

The Board found no evidence of chronic back or right knee disabilities during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection. The decision is mixed as it considered new evidence but did not reopen the claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development of the record, including obtaining VA and private treatment records from February 2011 to the present. The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain is secondary to his service-connected leg length discrepancy.