Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, back disability, and left knee disability were denied as no evidence of a disease or injury related to these conditions was found during his active duty or any other period of service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was rated at 20 percent prior to February 1, 2011. The condition is characterized by chronic pain and spasms with forward flexion better than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.

The Veteran's claims for neck disorder, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and bilateral hearing loss were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The issues of reopening service connection for these conditions are also dismissed.

The Veteran seeks service connection for back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain Army Reserve treatment records and verify the alleged in-service stressor of a fire at Fort Dix, New Jersey. If these are obtained and verified, the Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to determine if any current diagnoses are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining records from a hospital in El Cajon, California.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability, back disability, glaucoma, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for initial rating for depression was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability. The right great toe disability claim will be returned to the Board after issuance of an SOC.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to respond to a request for evidence. The claim will be adjudicated again after the requested information is obtained.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder due to new and material evidence submitted, but denied the claim on the merits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his ability to perform most of his daily activities independently.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD related to the Veteran's in-service sexual assault. The issues of service connection for lumbar strain and right leg disorder are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board found that the appellant's low back disability is not related to his active military service and denied service connection for this condition.

The Board is remanding the claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to further development and consideration.

The VA examiner found no medical evidence linking the current degenerative changes of the lumbar spine to service, and concluded that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability was granted a 40 percent evaluation prior to April 25, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss with a noncompensable rating, effective July 14, 2008. The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding hypertension and anxiety disorder prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current low back disability to his service and denied both his claim for service connection and his request for an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and left knee disabilities, claiming they are secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or authorize VA to obtain relevant records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a back disorder that was incurred during his period of service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left leg, and low back disabilities are not related to his period of active military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.