Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations of his service-connected thoracic spine injury with degenerative disc disease is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 24, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right knee disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability are currently rated at 20%, 10%, and 10% respectively.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and earlier effective date for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating, but not before March 23, 2007.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to consider the current level of the Veteran's back disability and whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected disability. The claim for an increased rating for the lower back disability will also be considered.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the issue on appeal can be adjudicated. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, including degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy symptomatology, will be remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a supplemental opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected right thigh disability and other disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, erectile dysfunction, and a skin disorder. The claim for residuals of dental trauma was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine prior to a decision being made by the Board. The remaining issues of service connection for left and right foot heel spurs, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right elbow disorder in April 2006. The Veteran's claim was reopened based on new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, PTSD, two facial scars, left and right knee conditions, and neuropathy of the upper extremities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's orthopedic manifestations of cervical spine disability, including pain and limited motion, have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent since February 9, 1996.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's dental disability, coronary artery disease, COPD, and gall bladder disease.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since November 30, 2005. The rating is for the orthopedic manifestations of the condition and does not include neurological manifestations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a right shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of onset during or related to his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and re-adjudicating the claims. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder is being considered, as well as his request to reopen his claim for depression and anxiety secondary to a back disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that his current condition is not related to service and does not have continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's current back and shoulder disorders are related to his military service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination, and further development is needed before a decision can be made on the claims for higher initial ratings.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for mechanical low back pain, as well as to obtain medical records related to the Veteran's pseudo-folliculitis barbae and PTSD. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, an eye disorder, a disability manifested by chest pains, and low back disability. The Veteran's vertigo was not found to be related to service or a service-connected condition.