Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorders are related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's thoracic spine disorder and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, right leg sciatica, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and their evaluations, with some issues related to hip disability, gout, arthritis, back pain, nerve compression, flat feet, and hypertension. The case is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is required to undergo further examination, review of new evidence, and readjudication.

The Board denied service connection for neck and upper back disorders, finding that they were not present during service or related to a service-connected condition. The TDIU claim was also denied as the evidence did not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and degenerative arthritis and spondylolysis of the thoracolumbar spine. The Board has remanded these claims due to a need to locate VA medical records from 1982-1993 and to attempt to obtain a nexus opinion from the identified VA physician who provided a verbal opinion on his back condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed low back disorder and his service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to a hearing officer's retirement and the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae has been rated at 10 percent since February 1, 2007. The RO increased the rating to 20 percent effective April 17, 2010 and to 40 percent effective August 1, 2011.,The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine has been rated at 20 percent since April 17, 2010. The RO increased the rating to 40 percent effective August 1, 2011.,The Veteran's service-connected chronic left knee strain has been rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic disability during or after service and no medical opinion linking his current condition to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is not related to service or his service-connected left knee condition. The claim for sinusitis and rhinitis remains pending as there are no findings on remand yet.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent prior to January 31, 2010 was denied. The reduction from 40 percent to 20 percent effective February 1, 2010 is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's migraine headaches, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, low back disability, and skin disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The diagnoses of these conditions are less likely than not related to any event or incident during her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disability is causally related to his service, and thus grants service connection for a neck disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service and have denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a 20 percent disability rating for unstable low back syndrome was denied. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that the increase in disability occurred prior to April 13, 2007.