Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral hip disabilities are not service-connected, as they were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service. The Board also found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his service-connected knee and pes planus disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and requesting an addendum opinion from the examiner who conducted his most recent VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability, characterized as traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with history of strain, was denied. The Board found that the current schedular rating of 40 percent adequately addresses the symptoms and impairment caused by this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's low back disability, manifested by severe limitation of motion and ankylosis not shown, warrants a 40 percent rating from June 23, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a chronic back disorder, tinnitus, PTSD, hypertension, and sleep disorders. The decision also addressed issues related to entitlement to a total evaluation for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right lower extremity radiculopathy warrants a separate 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right leg disorder and a right foot disorder, finding that his preexisting low back condition was not aggravated by active service and that these disorders were not related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected herniated lower lumbar disk has been rated at 20 percent since January 1, 2006. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and the provision of any outstanding treatment records. The claim will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's back condition did not manifest in service and is not related to any event, injury or disease during her active duty. As a result, she was denied service connection for her claimed back condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disorder did not manifest during service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active service. The claim for secondary service connection based on his right ankle and foot disabilities was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back pain is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is remanded as there are outstanding SSA records and a VA examination is needed to assess the existence of such a condition, its etiology, and whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of secondary service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder due to service-connected disability is also raised.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU rating is remanded as there are outstanding SSA records and a VA examination is needed to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to obtain or maintain employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the left leg were found to have been incurred in service and are therefore granted service connection. The Board also finds that the Veteran has other service-connected disabilities for which increased evaluations are warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities affect a single body system and combine to a 70 percent rating, preventing him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran is found to have degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine that was incurred in active military service.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral ankle sprain. The issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease, status-post laminectomy, of the lumbar spine (low back disorder) remains unresolved as there is insufficient evidence provided by Dr. Reimer.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for another VA examination.