Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's anemia, back disorder, and the disorder manifested by loss of control of his left leg and foot are found to be related to his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. His varicose veins are not considered due to service or exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim for kidney stones is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective January 20, 1998, based on his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a permanent and total disability rating for VA pension purposes, as they do not permanently preclude him from engaging in all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for initial consideration of his request for an extension of time to respond to the December 2011 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar myofasciitis had its onset during active duty and is therefore service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as multilevel degenerative disc and joint disease with mild scoliosis, was incurred in service. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the reduction of his left knee disability rating was found to be improper. The Veteran did not have new and material evidence submitted to reopen several of his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, low back, and bilateral foot disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied, and the effective date of service connection for sensory impairment of the right lower extremity remains August 12, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected myofascial strain and whether he has any additional disability due to carelessness or negligence on VA's part in April 2007 surgery. The issue of service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is also being remanded.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and notifying the Veteran of his right to submit additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been partially granted, with some issues being granted while others are denied. The right knee disorder claim has been reopened but the merits of the reopened claim remain pending.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing examinations to address the etiology of his claimed conditions. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current low back, right knee, left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities and his military service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing due to the absence of the original hearing officer.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA medical records and to provide the Veteran with a supplemental VA examination to address whether his low back disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee chondromalacia.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of response regarding hearing and waiver of RO consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability and its impact on his employment.