Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's scoliosis of the thoracolumbar spine was rated at 10% since April 25, 2012. The condition is considered to be a direct service connection without any need for additional presumptions or secondary conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for cervical spine, thoracic spine, and low back disabilities. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, headache disorder, and residuals of hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy are related to her active service.,Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disorder, headache disorder, and residuals of hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for thoracolumbar strain is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed left hip disorder, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, fibromyalgia, neck disorder, low back disorder, or right knee disorder.,Service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability, increases in the ratings for PTSD with depressive disorder, and TDIU was denied. The appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence and further development is needed to determine if service connection for neck and back disabilities can be established.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen her claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA clinical records and inadequate examination opinions. The case is now pending with instructions to obtain additional records and provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining new VA medical examinations by appropriate specialists.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the appellant's lumbar spine disability warranted a 60 percent evaluation as of October 22, 1996, and denied any higher rating or TDIU based on this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected low back and cervical spine disabilities have been rated appropriately, with the exception of a temporary total rating for thoracolumbar spine surgery from January 30, 2006 to March 31, 2006. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by upper, middle, and lower back pain due to inadequate examination responses. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased schedular rating for his lumbar spine disability with neurological manifestations of the right and left lower extremities was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating and earlier effective date for his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has remanded the claims to the RO for additional development due to missing service medical records.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The claims for right and left knee disabilities are remanded as additional development is needed to determine if service connection can be granted. The claim for lumbar spine disability remains inapplicable due to lack of service connection.