Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board found no evidence of a compensably disabling low back condition within one year following service and concluded that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable rating criteria, and no higher rating can be granted. The RO has not provided a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral hearing loss or follicular eczema.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an examination, as there are conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for back disorder and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing clarification of opinions from VA examiners.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and torticollis. The case is REMANDED for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed low back disorder, including conflicting dates and circumstances of injury. The VA needs to verify the Veteran's service periods and injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence and a change in service connection status.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address issues of service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU. The Veteran's low back disability, left foot hammertoes, right foot hammertoes, diabetes mellitus, and other disabilities are at issue.

The Board found that the Veteran's spinal stenosis did not have onset during service, was not caused by his active service, and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition. Therefore, the claim for service connection for spinal stenosis is denied.

The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether there is a nexus between the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability and documented back injuries during his active duty service, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities of the right foot, lumbar spine, and right knee affect a single body system (orthopedics) and combine to a 60 percent rating. The weight of the competent and probative evidence indicates that the Veteran as likely as not is prevented from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and claudication of the bilateral lower extremities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his period of active military service.

The Board has ordered additional development for service treatment records related to the Veteran's alleged injury in December 1943 at Espiritu Santo. The case is being remanded for further adjudication.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and left shoulder pain are related to his active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and bilateral hip disabilities are not related to her service-connected right knee disability, including instability due to a previous injury. The VA examiners' opinions were considered more probative than those of the witness who testified on behalf of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to report for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The RO must update his current address of record and reschedule him for a hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbosacral disc disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 30 percent, effective June 19, 2008. His right shoulder disability remains rated at 20 percent. The Board has granted a higher rating for the cervical spine disability but denied an increase in the rating for the right shoulder.