Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of her claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development of the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from December 2006 to the present. The case will be reviewed again after this additional evidence is obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his in-service injury and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing on the low back disability claim and to issue a statement of the case (SOC) addressing the death pension benefits and cause of death issues. The appellant must file a timely substantive appeal in response to the SOC.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was granted, with the effective date being November 30, 2010. The Veteran's hypertension and TDIU claims are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability is granted, and his left ankle injury residuals are rated at the lowest possible rating of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disorders, but these claims are ultimately denied as the evidence does not establish a direct or secondary relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA opinion on whether his service-connected disabilities are sufficient in combination to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need to consider former rating criteria and additional development.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including lumbar strain, cervical strain with bilateral radiculopathy, right hip strain, and traumatic brain injury. The issues include increased ratings for these conditions as well as a TDIU prior to September 11, 2008. Additional development is needed due to incomplete examination reports and conflicting employment history.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further development. The other claims are currently in a state of pending status.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is denied as there is no legal entitlement to such a date.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 20 percent for the service-connected lumbar spine disability, effective from June 3, 2011.

The Board has determined that additional medical examination and opinion are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and low back disability. The claims will be remanded to allow for this development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, onychomycosis of toenails and fingernails, hernia, and gastrointestinal disability are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease at L4-5 is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional service personnel records and a medical opinion.