Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining clarification on whether the Veteran's claimed carpal tunnel syndrome is separate from his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The left knee disability claim is also being considered on a secondary basis to his right leg disability. The back disability claim is inextricably intertwined with the left knee disability and must be deferred at this time.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and updating VA records. The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent and increased to 50 percent effective February 20, 2009.,Since November 5, 2007, the Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and scheduling VA examinations if necessary. The case will be reconsidered after the additional evidence has been processed.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic neck and shoulder disability related to service. The low back disability is considered pending as the claim requires further examination.

The Board has determined that the evidence is sufficient for a grant of service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The hemorrhoids claim will be remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and ensure that the Veteran's claim for reopening his service connection claim is properly considered.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from January 12, 2011. The claim for headaches was granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability was not first manifested in service or within the first post-service year, and the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that it is related to his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for further examination regarding the impact of service-connected right knee disability on the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not etiologically related to active service or a service-connected condition, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's pre-existing lumbar spine disability was not aggravated by service, and his right calf and foot disabilities are secondary to the lumbar spine disability. The claims for these conditions were granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted. The disability ratings for his cervical spine, lumbar spine, right and left knee disabilities, and bilateral hand arthritis have been adjusted based on the findings from recent VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin, left hip and low back disabilities did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to military service. The Veteran's sciatica was characterized by subjective complaints but no gross motor abnormalities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the unavailability of service treatment records and requests for additional information from the Appellant. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease with facet arthropathy, finding that it is causally related to his service-connected left hip disability. The issue of a higher evaluation for his left hip disability remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his low back and left hip disabilities, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not become chronic in service, has not been continuous since service separation, and is not otherwise shown to be related to any disease or injury in service.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO after the hearing.