Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and a skin disability are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The VA will provide new opinions regarding the likely etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease is currently evaluated at 60 percent, and the Board has determined that this evaluation does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disabilities are related to his service, including a back injury sustained during active duty in May 1957.

Service connection for sciatica is granted.,An initial rating of 20 percent for the service-connected low back strain with disc disease is granted.

The Veteran's low back disorder, right thumb disorder, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, and headaches are found to be related to service. The psychiatric disorder (inclusive of PTSD) is also granted as it is considered a direct result of service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total rating based on individual unemployability were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated as 20 percent disabling, bilateral pes cavus as 50 percent disabling, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as 10 percent prior to April 14, 2010 and 20 percent effective on that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to an inextricably intertwined issue of service connection for 'leg length inequality'. The Veteran's appeal must be again remanded to the RO for adjudication of this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection for anergy due to insufficient medical opinions and examination findings. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for his lumbar spine, left foot, bilateral ankle, left leg, and head injury residuals disabilities. The examiner concluded that these conditions were less likely related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected chronic low back strain is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, to include an injury to the coccyx, is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right ankle sprain with arthritis. The claim for increased rating for residuals of a right ankle sprain with arthritis was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, a pulmonary disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development, including VA examinations, is needed prior to adjudicating the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to events during military service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of secondary service connection for a neck disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board due to lack of evidence supporting his assertions.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability and denied both claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a current disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities contributed to his death from a hip fracture.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 4, 2009 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to lack of factual ascertainability prior to that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.