Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted with a 60 percent evaluation, and his claims for cervical spine disorder and headache disorder are also granted.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current neck, back, or bilateral leg disorders to his service in the Army Reserves. The medical opinions provided did not establish a link between the 1975 tetanus-typhoid shot and any of these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disorder, manifested by lumbar myalgias secondary to spinal block, is currently evaluated at 20 percent and the Board finds that a higher evaluation of 40 percent is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for temporary total ratings and extensions of such benefits, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for service connection. The Board found that he did not meet the criteria for these benefits based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's current back disability is not related to active service, and the Board finds that it was not caused or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for chronic low back strain and lumbar spondylosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including consideration of a recent VA examination report.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a low back disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was rated at 20 percent prior to February 9, 2006. The evidence does not show that his condition warranted a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran does not have a current bilateral knee or right ankle disorder, and the VA examiner found no connection between her service-connected right hip disorder and these conditions. The low back disorder was diagnosed as mild scoliosis of the lumbar spine, which is considered a congenital defect.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability, and thus the claim remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's disability of the lumbar spine, degenerative disc disease with fusion, had onset in service and granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for rotoscoliosis with bilateral sacroiliac pain, muscle spasm and tenderness (claimed as thoracolumbar scoliosis) was granted. Service connection for fibromyalgia due to service in Southwest Asia was also granted. The decision did not address the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is rated at 20 percent since August 4, 2009. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for this period.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and incomplete information.