Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury with cognitive deficits and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was found to not warrant an initial rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability has been productive of incapacitating episodes over the past year, warranting a 60 percent evaluation effective October 6, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication of the claims, including consideration of lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy in the rating decision for low back syndrome. The TDIU claim is also being addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability, characterized by degenerative disc disease with arthritic changes, is not due to injuries sustained during active military service. The preponderance of evidence supports this conclusion and denies the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as conducting VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking compensation for lumbosacral radiculopathy under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 based on VA treatment in May 2007, but the claim must be remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the regional office.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and asbestosis or other respiratory disorder, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), finding that his current disorders are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity disorder are service-connected due to in-service combat exposure. The heart condition is presumed to be related to service, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was found to not meet criteria for higher initial ratings prior to April 23, 2010 and after that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine and bilateral foot disorders are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's herniated nucleus pulposa was not incurred in service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral and thoracic spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left ankle disability was aggravated by military service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability. The right ankle and bilateral leg disabilities are also granted as secondary to the left ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, arthritis of the cervical spine, bilateral shoulder arthritis, and residuals of a head injury due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, right foot pes planus, left facial numbness, ulnar neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and right elbow and hand numbness.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disorder is at least as likely as not related to her military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection and increased ratings, finding that the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred was March 10, 2007.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for right knee arthralgia and hypertension. However, the Veteran's current back disability and left leg disability are not found to be related to his military service.