Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for low back strain and right knee strain were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities and obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete service records and a need for further examination. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records from private providers and arranging for an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and right shoulder disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted it, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted to support his claim. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, is being remanded due to new evidence received after the last final denial. The Board will review the case on a de novo basis and without consideration of regulations governing the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including examinations and the provision of additional medical records. The issues on appeal are related to service connection for heart disease with clogged arteries, a disability rating for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to secure STRs and other pertinent records, clarify the Veteran's claims, and consider them again.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. He must also be afforded a VA examination to assess the nature and extent of his cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability and remanded the case to obtain additional evidence, including Social Security Administration records. The claims for depression are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board if further action is required.

The Board finds that the Veteran's DDD of the thoracolumbar spine is likely related to his service, including a shrapnel/blast injury sustained during combat on Iwo Jima. The preponderance of evidence supports this finding.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, neck and shoulder disabilities, and hepatitis C. The evidence submitted since the final decisions is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as chronic recurrent lumbar strain, degenerative spondylitic changes of the lumbar spine, and right sacroiliac joint dysfunction, is related to his active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's combat service and his statements regarding back injuries during active duty.

The Board has determined that chronic cervical and trapezius muscle strain and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine had their onset during active service, granting service connection for these conditions.,Meniere's disease was incurred during active service, as it had its clinical onset in 1970.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his active service, specifically his Air National Guard service where he flew in high G force aircraft. Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine resulted in at least 6 weeks of incapacitating episodes per year since July 29, 2005. As a result, his disability rating was increased to 60 percent effective July 29, 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death (hypoxia, cardiopulmonary arrest, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and end stage Alzheimer's disease) were not causally or etiologically related to any service-connected condition. The Board also determined that none of the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed substantially or materially to his death.