Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a fracture of the left transverse process of the second lumbar vertebra has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with appropriate notice regarding secondary service connection. The VA examiners will need to assess whether any gastrointestinal or back conditions are related to service, including service-connected psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, and back disabilities, are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability did not have its onset during active service or within one year thereafter and is not causally related to such service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back, neck, and right hip disorders did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and are not causally related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran does not have a back disability that is related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for the grants of service connection and special monthly compensation are November 13, 2006, based on the date of receipt of the initial claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and back disabilities are service-connected based on direct evidence of injury or disease during her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) at his local RO. The claims will be reviewed after the hearing.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder, and it is now granted as the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine had its onset in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, examinations, and development of his case.

The Veteran's appeal is denied. The Board finds that the effective date for the grant of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis cannot be earlier than May 5, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing at the RO. The issues are related to rating his disabilities of the right knee and lumbar spine.

The Board found that the Veteran's stomach disability is not related to his service-connected low back disability and denied both direct and secondary service connection for the stomach disability.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective March 16, 2004 for his service-connected depressive disorder. The appeal is about the effective date of this grant.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum to a November 2010 VA spine examination, which should address whether the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the knees has made his diagnosed low back disability chronically worse.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for scheduled hearings. His request for a rescheduled hearing has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability became so severe on July 1, 2000 that it made him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of decision. The Veteran's lumbar spinal degenerative joint disease was increased to 40 percent prior to November 8, 2012 and to 40 percent on and after that date.