Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for left elbow disorder, left knee disorder, and low back disorder. These conditions are deemed to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for spondylolisthesis resulting in spinal fusion of the lumbosacral spine and increased disability rating for lumbosacral strain. The decision is based on evidence showing a nexus between current symptoms and the Veteran's in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder, including spondylolisthesis and osteoarthritis with associated pain. However, due to additional development needed, this case is being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a new VA spine examination and additional development of his claims file. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back disorder, previously claimed as back pain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at either the Houston RO or San Antonio satellite location.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board hearing. He requested evaluations and service connection for his conditions, but the rating assigned and effective date are not specified.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is being remanded due to a need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues, and he will be given the opportunity for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records of the Veteran's reserve service and private treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability or left knee disability that is attributable to military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of incapacitating episodes or other factors warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an examination and medical opinion regarding his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back condition is not causally related to his in-service complaints and did not find a direct nexus. The evidence does not show continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since June 2005. The AMC recently awarded a separate compensable rating for his tension headaches.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for both his cervical spine disability and his tension headaches.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes does not result in unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, and therefore, he is not entitled to a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected as it was pre-existing and did not worsen during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, but denied the underlying claim as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine should be July 30, 2001. The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim was received on this date and new evidence was submitted within the 60-day appeal period.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated as 20 percent disabling from September 1, 1999; 100 percent disabling from April 17, 2009; 20 percent disabling from June 1, 2009; 100 percent disabling from May 6, 2010; and 30 percent disabling from August 1, 2011. The Veteran's right knee disability has not resulted in functional loss consistent with or comparable to limitation of motion of the leg to 60 degrees on flexion or to 5 degrees on extension.