Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for headaches and cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is withdrawn. The claims file was reviewed and no additional evidence or argument was provided.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current right knee, left knee, or back disabilities related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records, as well as requesting Social Security Administration disability benefits information. The Veteran is to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the presence of chronic back and neck disabilities, and an appropriate psychiatric examination to determine the correct diagnoses for any acquired psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative changes were productive of localized tenderness severe enough to cause an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour from December 27, 2007, to May 10, 2009. The RO granted a rating of 20 percent for this period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions. The Veteran's claim for residuals of dental trauma for outpatient dental treatment was also denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his claimed condition and service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back disability, which he claims was incurred during active duty. The VA has not obtained all relevant medical records and the case needs to be remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, dermatitis, cardiovascular disease, heart disability, muscle pain, and joint pain prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and to obtain relevant medical records. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical examination and additional development of his Social Security Administration records.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple myeloma and compression fracture of the lumbar spine, both for purposes of accrued benefits. The cause of death is also granted.

The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with chronic muscular strain. The Board has determined that additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of recent treatment records, is necessary to properly adjudicate this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is required to determine if the Veteran's back disability is related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service, including a single incident where he fell from a truck during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for hearing loss and lumbar strain are being reviewed with consideration of all applicable laws and regulations.

The Veteran's diffuse ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine with sclerosis of both sacroiliac joints is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5236. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated sacroiliac radiculopathy have been rated at 20 percent, effective the date of his claim. The initial ratings for left and right sacroiliac radiculopathy remain at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar strain, knee disabilities, and bilateral pes planus were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and arthritis of the low back was not manifested within one year of separation.