Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the lower extremities is currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 11, 2011. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted prior to this date.

The Board denied service connection for low back, cervical spine, right hip, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim as the appellant has passed away.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 50 percent disabling as of June 12, 2012. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that date has been denied.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc and joint disease has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent since October 12, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and headaches. The claim is being returned to the RO for readjudication.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities were denied, with the Board finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation or an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to September 26, 2003.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is related to his service-connected arthritis, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues remain pending.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for migraine headaches, low back disability, or gout. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of her low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability and remanded it for further development. The claims for increased rating for vaginal candidiasis and service connection for acid reflux are also addressed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's private treatment records and to provide him with a VA examination for his claimed disabilities. The appeal will be remanded to the RO/AMC for these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and back disabilities were previously denied in a final rating decision. New evidence received since the last denial is not considered new and material, thus the claims remain denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Veteran has been granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for degenerative disc disease/degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar fault on the part of VA during a surgical procedure.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including exposure to noise. The lumbar spine disability claim is pending as it has been remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder. The Veteran is entitled to service connection as his low back disorder was incurred during active duty.