Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a compression fracture and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as secondary to his spinal condition), are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA examinations and attempting to obtain his up-to-date VA and private treatment records.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and whether it was aggravated by service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder with associated neurological abnormalities affecting the lower extremities and for a right foot disability. The Veteran's claims are granted, and she is assigned an initial 10% rating for her service-connected HTN.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hip and ankle disabilities as well as VA treatment records for all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of shrapnel wounds to the neck, back, right shoulder and arm, as well as a low back disorder, are denied.,Service connection was granted for residual scars due to shrapnel wounds. However, service connection for a low back disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining relevant medical records and an opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to chest pain, and the back disability was rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder. However, further development is required as VA needs to provide an examination and consider whether there are any new or material pieces of evidence that could support the reopening of this claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder, finding that his current degenerative arthritis and disc disease are related to multiple traumatic injuries sustained during active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and thus denied his claim for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical records, personnel records, and an examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition and found new evidence sufficient to reopen the case. However, the Board determined that there is no medical evidence linking the current back conditions to military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied claims for service connection for lumbar paravertebral myositis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that these conditions were not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disorder was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to August 24, 2010 and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The right knee and left knee disorders were each granted a rating of 10 percent initially, with the left knee receiving an additional 10 percent for instability starting from August 24, 2010. The service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities was also granted initial ratings of 10 percent prior to August 24, 2010 and increased to 20 percent thereafter.

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

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and stomach condition, but granted service connection for a gastric ulcer. The case is being remanded to obtain SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial schedular ratings and extra-schedular evaluations were denied. The TDIU claim remains part of the appeal.