Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's hypertension claim is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination. The issues of PTSD rating and service connection for lumbar fusion are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to comply with a Court's decision, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative disc disease, is related to injuries sustained during active duty service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine spondylosis is rated at 20 percent from August 1, 2004 to April 5, 2005. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for the left lower extremity radiculopathy of the lumbar spine.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to her active duty service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for spondylosis of the thoracic spine and DJD/DDD of the cervical spine, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for DJD/DDD at L4-5 and L5-S1 was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral elbow, knee, and low back disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right shoulder strain with bursitis, left knee strain, and lumbar spondylolisthesis with degenerative joint and disc disease.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims on appeal can be properly adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate the severity of his service-connected degenerative disc disease and an assessment of whether he is unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar degenerative disk disease, moderate at L5-S1, was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, claimed as lumbar degenerative disc disease, is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional workers' compensation records.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records. The Veteran is also scheduled for a new examination to determine the current nature and severity of his low back disability and whether he has radiculopathy in both lower extremities.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and his cardiac arrhythmia with premature ventricular contractions do not meet criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for consideration of an extraschedular rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain was manifested by pain and limitation of motion, but no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The Board granted a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development and need for additional examination or opinion.