Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his service-connected cervical spine disability and an evaluation of his unemployability. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions, as well as increased ratings for fibromyalgia and PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and diabetes mellitus. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine (claimed as neck injury) during his October 2011 Board hearing. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current left knee, neck, and low back disabilities and his military service. The conditions were not shown to have had onset during service or within one year after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate examinations and the need for further development of her service-connected lumbar spine disability, including right leg radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate opinion in a previous VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as lumbar lordosis with mild lumbar instability (to include degenerative changes), is attributable to his active military service. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, service connection for a back disorder is granted.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his lumbar spine disability and sacroiliitis due to inadequate medical opinions in prior decisions. The case will be readjudicated after further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of new VA examinations to determine the etiology and severity of her cervical spine disability and service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is due to a verified in-service stressor, specifically an assault by his drill instructor during basic training. As such, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed back, bilateral knee, left ankle, and depression disabilities as they are not etiologically related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with mechanical low back pain before March 30, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, is being remanded due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a lack of compliance with previous Board directives and the need to obtain additional VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete responses from VA examiners and an undelivered letter to the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and review of medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent during the entire increased rating period.