Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and the claims for plantar fasciitis, bilateral knee disability, and back disability are dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disability, which he claims was aggravated during his military service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and extent of the Veteran's current back disability and whether it is at least as likely as not due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at L4-5 and degenerative joint disease of the right hip were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current cervical spine degenerative changes are likely due to his service-connected left shoulder disability, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities and any new disability claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability and right knee injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his left hip, left leg, and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at the Citrus Memorial Hospital on February 25, 2009 was denied as the treatment did not meet the criteria for emergency services.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to support the Veteran's claims for service connection, and a remand is required to obtain these records. The Veteran also needs an addendum to his March 2009 VA examination and an orthopedic examination.

The Board determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his service, and thus denied his claims for service connection for an eye disorder and a back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and to schedule a VA examination. The appellant's claims for service connection for back and bilateral knee disorders are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability, low back disability, allergic rhinitis, and residuals of an ingrown toenail are still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, left knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are all attributable to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left arm disorder and degenerative joint/disc disease of the lumbar spine are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorder. The decision is based on credible evidence provided by the Veteran and VA medical professionals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various conditions, including a lumbar spine disability, PTSD, hypertension, tension headaches, and reactive airway disease. The appeals were based on the Veteran's reported symptoms and medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing back disability was aggravated by his second period of active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic back disorder is related to his active service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 60 percent, and his left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. The decision grants the higher ratings for both conditions.