Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling appropriate examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from acute myocardial infarction. The medical opinion provided by a VA physician indicated it was less likely than not that any of the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disability, including osteopenia. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.

The Veteran's arthritis of the left elbow is found to be as likely as not related to his active duty service. The Board grants this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate medical evidence for a fully informed decision regarding his claim of entitlement to an increased disability rating for his service-connected low back injury with degenerative changes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service regarding whether a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) should be granted due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's other claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's disease, neck disability, right shoulder disability, and back disability has been granted. The conditions are linked to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine with left lower extremity radiculopathy is being remanded due to incomplete development and additional evidence needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, left wrist, and acquired psychiatric disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 20 percent since December 2, 2011. The rating is granted as the evidence shows that his forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was limited to 30 degrees due to pain.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was found to warrant a 20 percent rating, effective July 1, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical and thoracic/lumbar spine disabilities have been rated at the lowest possible level (10%) since their effective dates, as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to service. The examiner was asked to provide opinions on whether the current condition existed prior to service and if it was aggravated by service. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected spondylosis of the lumbar spine was granted, but he is now seeking an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding VA and SSA records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for various disabilities, including depression, a neck scar, Meniere's disease, and bilateral leg paralysis. The new and material evidence claims were also denied.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disability in service or within one year after service, and concluded that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service.