Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of Bell's Palsy and service connection for a low back disability were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of bilateral hearing loss. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's left knee condition is found to have had its clinical onset during his period of active service, and the Board grants service connection for this disability. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims for increased initial evaluations for right shoulder rotator cuff strain, degenerative joint disease of the right hip, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination and opinion are needed to properly decide the claim for service connection of a low back disability. The Veteran's in-service injury is considered, but an orthopedist's opinion on the etiology of his current condition is required.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder and is granting it, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for degenerative discogenic disease at L4-5 and L5-S1 with retrolisthesis of L4-5 is denied as the criteria for a higher evaluation have not been met. The other issues are also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant service treatment records and medical documentation.

The Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy is service-connected. The Board also finds new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a left lung disability (chronically elevated or paralyzed left hemidiaphragm).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, and providing a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current low back condition is related to his service.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 20 percent prior to March 3, 2009. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims for a higher rating for DDD of the lumbar spine prior to April 13, 2007, and for TDIU prior to April 28, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disorder and right lower extremity pain were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability claim, including consideration of a March 1968 service treatment record indicating back pain.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and cervical spine degenerative disc disease. Service connection for a right hip disorder was granted, but the Veteran disagrees with the assigned initial disability ratings.

The Board has granted a higher disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain, with an effective date of November 1, 2006. The appeal is now remanded to consider whether an extraschedular evaluation is warranted.