Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating beyond 20 percent for his service-connected degenerative disc disease (DDD) at L3-4 to L4-5 is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

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

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability and his active military service, including carrying his rucksack during service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's low back disability has not been shown to result in unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during a 12-month period, thus his claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder is denied as there is no competent evidence of current disability.,Service connection for arthritis of the joints (claimed as gout) is denied due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition to service or any other etiology.,Service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to PTSD, is denied because there is no medical evidence showing a direct link between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his current hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease has been rated at 40 percent since May 1, 1989. The current rating is maintained as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes in the last 12 months.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of his claims, including addressing the issues on three distinct rating periods and the issue of TDIU prior to August 21, 2008.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active service, including a shrapnel wound incurred during World War II. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for back disability is currently pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder is not related to his military service and does not result from or be aggravated by his service-connected left knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional VA treatment records from the Veteran's active duty period and to provide an addendum opinion regarding any low back disorder. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including post-traumatic headaches, trauma to the dorsolumbar region with myositis, and cervical spine injuries.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially granted and rated at 10 percent prior to February 26, 2008. Effective February 26, 2008, the Veteran is now rated at 20 percent for his disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum from the November 2010 VA examiner and updating the claims file with recent VAMC medical records. The case will also be readjudicated in light of the criteria for spinal disorders that were in effect in November 2002.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to address specific questions posed in prior remands.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability did not have onset during his active service, was not etiologically related to his active service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's back disability and bilateral knee disabilities, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.