Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. ¶ 1151, and SMC based on aid and attendance were denied by the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back, left hip, and right knee disorders as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The VA examinations did not provide a clear opinion on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding that none were incurred or caused by his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back and coccyx disorders are unrelated to in-service back injuries, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board has granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional treatment records from his time in Alaska and to provide these records to an examiner for further review.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings and service connection for various conditions were denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board found that the current evidence was insufficient to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and hip disabilities were rated at 20 percent, but the RO denied his claims for increased ratings.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain was found to be manifested by forward thoracolumbar flexion less than 60 degrees from March 1, 2007 to January 7, 2010. Prior to that time, the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board also dismissed the appeal as to his claims for increased initial ratings for migraine headaches and degenerative changes to the right shoulder.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for cervical spine strain was granted under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, but his secondary claim for benefits related to left arm radiculopathy and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a VA examination for his low back disability and right foot injury.

The Veteran's low back condition, characterized as thorolumbar muscular pain and later diagnosed as low back strain, has been rated at 20% since March 1, 2008. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a three-month extension of his temporary total rating from March 1, 2008 through May 31, 2008.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a skin condition, low back disability, and mental disorder. The claim for periarticular sclerosis of the right hip is denied as there is no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 10 percent, effective March 22, 2007. The current rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and a left hip disability, finding that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, and his lumbar spine disability is rated at the minimum compensable level. The Board finds no higher evaluation is appropriate.