Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his in-service injury or symptoms, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent from April 8, 2006 to August 16, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and determining whether any current lumbar spine disability is related to service or ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a low back disability in service or within one year of separation, and thus could not establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to assess his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and scheduling another psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist, hand, shoulder, arm, and cervical/lumbar spine disorders are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be causally related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lung disorder, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the left arm was granted. Service connection for postoperative residuals of a boil of the left thigh, low back disability, and bilateral foot disabilities is also granted. The Veteran received special monthly compensation on account of being housebound.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions and reviewing all relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to September 17, 2010, and at 40 percent as of that date. The hypertension rating remains at 10 percent.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's low back condition was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss with a 10% disability rating, effective April 19, 2007. The Veteran's other claims were denied.

The case is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and issuance of statements of the case on service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran's current low back disorder is related to his active service.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's authorized representative prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and a VA examination to assess the Veteran's low back disability. The issue remains on appeal regarding the appropriate disability rating for the period of time subsequent to October 2007.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and lumbar spine disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The claims are now considered on their merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed bilateral knee disability or low back disability, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disorder, which is claimed to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disability, has been remanded due to the need for an opinion on whether his back disorder was aggravated by his knee disorders.