Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to service and is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for a higher rating of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was not granted. The current service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an increased SMC rate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of such a condition and thus no basis to grant the claim.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with traumatic arthritis was granted a 20 percent disability rating effective May 18, 2009. The initial compensable and subsequent increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy were also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and found that the Veteran's current disability is related to her military service. The remaining claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for bipolar disorder, uterine disability, headaches, and asthma are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of bilateral knee disorder, bilateral leg disorder, and fainting have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal regarding these claims.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings were granted, with a disability rating of 30 percent for lumbar strain with spondylosis effective March 31, 2010. The other issues remained unchanged.

The Board has scheduled a Travel Board hearing and is remanding the case for further action due to the Veteran's absence from his previously scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's GERD and low back disorder are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is rated at a 20 percent rating since March 5, 2009, based on limitation of forward flexion to 80 degrees and other criteria met.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar DDD and cervicalgia have not resulted in any compensable disability ratings due to the lack of incapacitating episodes or significant functional impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to assess his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection is denied as there was no prior claim filed within one year of his separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes was not incurred during service and is unrelated to service. The claim for service connection for diabetes must be denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU rating is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a neck disability in service or for many years thereafter, and thus denied the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The lumbar spine issue is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting any necessary examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder is a result of an injury during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and assigned a 20 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.