Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, status-post right above the knee amputation, as secondary to service-connected status-post left knee arthroplasty. The back disability claim is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected low back disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The issue of service connection for basal cell carcinoma remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination and an opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim of entitlement to increased rating for back disability is also being considered.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claims for service connection for his right knee, neck, and upper back disorders.

The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder remains in appellate status and the case is being remanded to obtain additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as uremia, which is not service-connected. The Veteran had a total disability rating for individual unemployability due to his lumbar spine disability, but the duration did not meet the 10-year requirement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not related to his active service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with cervical to trapezius symptomatology is service-connected as a direct result of his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. Specifically, VA treatment records from his active duty period and post-service must be obtained, and he must undergo a VA examination to determine if any current low back or respiratory disorders are related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied, but he was granted an initial 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity secondary to his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claims for chronic low back disorder and sleep apnea were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses. The claim for kidney disorder was not addressed due to the lack of secondary service connection consideration.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. The Board denied the claims for increased ratings and initial evaluations.

The Veteran's low back disability has not more nearly approximated forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. Therefore, a higher initial rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not aggravated by his in-service injury. The claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for PTSD is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations.

The Veteran's appeal of the June 2006 rating decision denying service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral knee condition was not timely filed, resulting in the denial of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and thoracic outlet syndrome status post cervical rib resection do not warrant a compensable rating since June 1, 2006. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated as non-compensable.