Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the appellant's current lumbosacral strain is at least as likely as not related to her active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with disc bulge and back strain was not characterized by evidence of either forward flexion less than 61 degrees or a combined range of motion less than 121 degrees during the period from November 17, 2005 to December 14, 2010. Since December 15, 2010, his condition has not met the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic heart disability during service or within one year thereafter, and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a cardiac condition. Therefore, service connection for a cardiac disorder cannot be granted.

The Board found no evidence of a pre-existing low back disability and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining SSA records and providing a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that it was not linked to his service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been evaluated and the Board has granted a 10% evaluation for scars, right lower extremity associated with residuals of the right ankle. The Veteran is also entitled to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide a new hepatitis C questionnaire, schedule VA examinations for his neck, back and feet conditions, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his current disability levels and determine if service connection can be established for a right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology. The claim for PTSD is also denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing at his local VA office.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder. The Veteran will be considered to have had a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right and left hands, as well as reopened the previously denied claim for a psychiatric disorder (now reopened to include PTSD and depressive disorder). The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered direct service connection cases.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claim for chronic urinary tract infections is remanded as there are conflicting statements regarding its existence during service and post-service. The claim for thoracolumbar strain remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is now service-connected. Service connection for low back, right shoulder, and left shoulder disorders remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board hearing at the appropriate Regional Office (RO). The issues are related to reopening service connection claims and establishing eligibility for treatment.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral shoulder disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, evaluated at 10 percent since April 20, 1988, is not shown to warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.