Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and right shoulder disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral pes planus have been granted service connection, with the latter receiving a 10% rating effective January 2, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and inextricably intertwined TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative disease of the cervical spine is related to his active military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to incomplete development and lack of adequate medical opinion. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of her cervical spine disability (excluding the period of a temporary total rating) was denied as her service-connected cervical spine DDD did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed in light of his service as a fire protection specialist and potential exposure to gases.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 14, 1994 for the award of a TDIU due to lack of evidence showing unemployability solely due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disabilities are not related to his in-service injury, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorders, including degeneration of the lumbar spine, were not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, status post lumbar laminectomy, was manifested by moderate symptoms of pain and limitation of motion. The Board granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of these claims, including obtaining VA and SSA records, personnel records, and medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate is being remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination records, and the need for additional development including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records and arranging an examination through the American consulate in Thailand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case on his claim for an increased rating for sciatica and scheduling him for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination for his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's statements, along with private physician statements, raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no jurisdiction remains for the Board to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his service, granting his claim for service connection.